Meaning of Nicety | Babel Free

Definitions

1. A small detail or distinction.
   countable, uncountable
2. Subtlety or precision of use; exactness; preciseness.
   countable, uncountable
3. A delicacy of character or feeling usually from excessive refinement; fastidiousness.
   countable, uncountable
4. Synonym of social nicety.
   countable, uncountable
5. That which is delicate to the taste.
   countable, obsolete, uncountable

Equivalents

Examples

“We met the new captain while we were taking enemy fire and were unable to observe⟳ the niceties of formal introductions.”

“the fineness and niceties of words”

“"But," the writer, Dr. Beattie, adds, "this is a needless nicety, and, if adopted, would introduce⟳ a confusion into the grammatical art. {...}"”

“It’s just that when I’ve been stripped of my possessions, my dignity and any semblance of personal space and then strapped in for a multihour spell⟳ in the world’s most cramped and crappy bar car, the little niceties go a long way toward keeping me – keeping everyone – sane.”

“A rocket-propelled grenade doesn't have⟳ the nicety of a sniper round, but you must admit⟳ its effectiveness.”

“Afterwards I took it back when it was borne in upon me startlingly with what extreme nicety he had estimated the time requisite for the ‘affair.’”

“[W]e cannot judge⟳ with exact nicety whether the hunter or the hunted has the greater dash of toe.”

“[I]f you knew how Selina feels with respect⟳ to sleeping at an inn, you would not wonder⟳ at Mrs. Churchill’s making incredible exertions to avoid⟳ it. Selina says it is quite horror to her—and I believe⟳ I have⟳ caught a little of her nicety.”

“To be sure, 2012 marks an emphatic end⟳ to the bygone courtesy of allowing the other campaign to have⟳ its convention moment. But the traditional nicety began unraveling at least two or three election cycles ago.”

““That was so lovely. But how come⟳ none of you ever said any of this to me?” “Because we're vampires, my squeaky-voiced, fucking berserk, nutjob, idiot friend. And sometimes we're not too good with the old niceties and kindness towards those we care about. But our hearts... are full of love⟳.” “He's not wrong.” “I am so embarrassed.””

“Both anthems were booed beforehand. It was never going to be a night for niceties.”

CEFR level