nick

nick [nik]

n.

[LME nyke, prob. akin to nocke, notch]

1. a small notch or slit; esp., a small cut, indentation or chip made on the edge or surface of wood, metal, china, etc.

2. a notch in the lower side of the shank of a printing type, for identification: see TYPE

3. [Brit. Slang] prison; jail

4. [Brit. Slang] condition; state [a used car in good nick]

vt.

1. to make a nick or nicks in

2. Now Rare to score or tally by means of notches

3.

a) to wound superficially

b) to strike lightly and glancingly

4. to strike or catch at the exact or proper time; hit, guess, grasp, etc. exactly

5. Slang

a) to fine

b) to overcharge or cheat

6. [Brit. Slang]

a) to arrest; nab

b) to steal

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in the nick of time

exactly when needed; just before it is too late