nicety etymology

Etymology

The word "nicety" is derived from the Middle French word "nicete," meaning "delicacy" or "subtlety." This word is ultimately derived from the Latin word "nitidus," meaning "shining" or "clean."

Meaning

In modern English, "nicety" has several meanings:

  • A subtle or fine distinction or difference
  • A small detail or refinement
  • A point of etiquette or politeness
  • Something that is pleasant or agreeable

Origin

The word "nicety" first appeared in the English language in the 14th century. It was originally used to refer to a subtle or fine distinction. Over time, the meaning of the word broadened to include other things, such as points of etiquette and pleasant things.

Examples

Here are some examples of how the word "nicety" is used in modern English:

  • "There are certain niceties of pronunciation that are important to master."
  • "She had a keen eye for the niceties of fashion."
  • "I would appreciate it if you could observe the niceties of social interaction."
  • "Life is full of little niceties that make it worth living."

nicety relate terms

  • Nice

    Etymology The word nice is derived from the Old French word nice which itself comes

  • science

    Etymology Latin scientia meaning knowledge Greek ἐπιστήμη epistēmē m

  • fond

    Etymology The word fond has origins in several languages Old French font meanin

  • innocent

    Etymology The word innocent comes from the Latin word innocens which means harmles

  • simple

    Etymology is the study of the origin and history of words It can be used to trace the evo

  • nuance

    Etymology Late Middle English from Old French nuance from Medieval Latin nuantia fro

  • shade

    Etymology Old English sceadu shadow shade Proto Germanic skadu Proto Indo Europe

  • subtlety

    Etymology Middle English subtilitee from Anglo Norman French subtiltee from Latin su

  • quodlibet

    Etymology and Origin Quodlibet is a Latin word derived from the phrase quod libet meanin

  • quiddity

    Etymology Ultimate origin Latin quidditas thatness essence being or nature of thi

  • prim

    Etymology The word prim originates from the Old English word primme meaning early

  • mince

    Etymology Old French amincier mencier Ultimately from Latin minuere meaning to dimin

  • signification

    Etymology Latin significāre Roots signum sign ficāre to make Meaning

  • refinement

    Etymology French refinement Late Latin raffinatio Latin raffinare to make pure Pr

  • Hades

    Etymology The name Hades derives from the Greek word Haides which originally meant th