- neat
- neatneat1 [nēt]adj.[Fr net < L nitidus, shining, elegant, smart, trim < nitere, to shine < IE base * nei-, to be active, shine > MIr nīam, luster, beauty]1. unmixed with anything; undiluted; straight: said esp. of liquor drunk without a mixer or chaser2. Rare free of deductions; net3.a) clean and in good order; trim; tidyb) characterized by tidiness, skill, and precision [a neat worker]c) without anything superfluous; simple4. well-proportioned; shapely5. cleverly or smartly phrased or done6. Slang nice, pleasing, fine, etc.: a generalized term of approvalneatlyadv.neatnessn.neat2 [nēt]n.pl. neat [ME nete < OE neat (akin to ON naut, Du noot) < base of neotan, to enjoy, possess < IE base * neud-, to make use of > Lith naudà, benefit, possessions]Now Rare a bovine animal; ox, cow, etc.
English World dictionary. V. Neufeldt. 2014.