from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Nicety \Ni"ce*ty\, n.; pl. {Niceties}. [OE. nicet['e]
foolishness.]
1. The quality or state of being nice (in any of the senses
of that word.).
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The miller smiled of her nicety. --Chaucer.
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2. Delicacy or exactness of perception; minuteness of
observation or of discrimination; precision.
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3. A delicate expression, act, mode of treatment,
distinction, or the like; a minute distinction.
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The fineness and niceties of words. --Locke.
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{To a nicety}, with great exactness or accuracy.
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