nice, adj. and adv.
Forms:
Middle English necy, Middle English nesy, Middle English nyci, Middle English nys, Middle English nysse, Middle English 1600s nece, Middle English–1500s nycy, Middle English–1500s nyse, Middle English–1600s nise, Middle English–1600s nyce, Middle English– nice, 1500s niece, 1500s nyche (probably transmission error), 1600s nize; English regional (northern and midlands) 1700s–1800s nise, 1800s noist, 1800s nyste, 1800s– neist, 1800s– neyce, 1800s– nic'd, 1800s– niced, 1800s– nicet, 1800s– nist, 1800s– niste, 1800s– nyst; Scottish pre-1700 naice, pre-1700 nies, pre-1700 nyce, pre-1700 nyice, pre-1700 nyis, pre-1700 nys, pre-1700 nyse, pre-1700 nyss, pre-1700 1700s– nice. N.E.D. (1906) also records a form Middle English neys. (Show Less)
Frequency (in current use):
Show frequency band information
Origin: A borrowing from French. Etymon: French nice.
Etymology: < Anglo-Norman nice, nis, nise and Old French nice (c1160; c1250 as niche ; now French regional) < classical Latin nescius (see nescious adj.). Compare Old Occitan nesci (c1150; also attested as neci, nesi, nessi; Occitan neci), Spanish necio (1220–50), Catalan neci, nici (both 14th cent.), Portuguese necio (14th cent.; 15th cent. as néscio), Italian nescio (1321), all in sense ‘foolish, simple, ignorant’.
The semantic development of this word from ‘foolish, silly’ to ‘pleasing’ is not paralleled in Latin or in the Romance languages. The precise sense development in English is unclear. N.E.D. (1906) s.v. notes that ‘in many examples from the 16th and 17th cent. it is difficult to say in what particular sense the writer intended it to be taken’.
A. adj.
†1.
a. Of a person: foolish, silly, simple; ignorant. Obsolete.
c1300 St. Mary Magdalen
(Laud)
493 in C. Horstmann Early S.-Eng. Legendary
(1887)
476 (MED)
Bote ich þe [seide] hou heo heold mi lif, for-soþe ich were nice.
a1375
(▸c1350)
William of Palerne
(1867)
491 (MED)
Ich am vn-wis & wonderliche nyce.
c1400
(▸?a1300)
Kyng Alisaunder
(Laud)
(1952)
652 (MED)
He dude þe childe habbe noryce, Gentil leuedyes and nouȝth nyce.
a1450
(▸c1410)
H. Lovelich Hist. Holy Grail xlii. 73
They seiden he was a fool..and that they sien neuere so Nise A man.
a1500
(▸c1477)
T. Norton Ordinal of Alchemy
(BL Add.)
(1975)
50 (MED)
He that is not a grete clerke Is nyse & lewde to medle with that werke.
▸
?a1513 W. Dunbar Poems
(1998)
I. 78
Quha that dois deidis of petie..Is haldin a fule, and that full nyce.
?1567 M. Parker Whole Psalter xlix. 141
As well the wyse: as mad and nyse, to others leave theyr port.
1617 in W. B. Armstrong Bruces of Airth
(1892)
51
Many a nyse wyfe and a back doore Oft maketh a riche man poore.
c1300—1617(Hide quotations)
b. Of an action, utterance, etc.: displaying foolishness or silliness; absurd, senseless. Obsolete.
▸
a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis
(Fairf.)
vii. 2801
So is it bot a nyce Sinne Of gold to ben to covoitous.
c1400
(▸?c1390)
Sir Gawain & Green Knight
(1940)
323 (MED)
Þyn askyng is nys..þou foly hatz frayst.
c1405
(▸c1390)
G. Chaucer Reeve's Tale
(Hengwrt)
(2003)
l. 362
Hys wyf..wiste no thyng of this nyce [v.rr. nyse, nesy] stryf.
a1475 J. Russell Bk. Nurture
(Harl. 4011)
in Babees Bk.
(2002)
i. 149
Cookes with þeire newe conceytes, choppynge..new curies..provokethe þe peple to perelles of passage..þrouȝ nice excesse of suche receytes.
a1513 R. Fabyan New Cronycles Eng. & Fraunce
(1516)
I. ccxvi. f. cxxxvi
A nyce folysshe Couenaunte ought nat to be holden.
1575 J. Rolland Treat. Court Venus i. f. 14
[Quha did] reheirs ane certane nyse Sermonis, [With argu]mentis, and diuers questionis.
a1657 G. Daniel Poems
(1878)
II. iii. 222
Prye not into his secrets; 'tis a nice And foolish Itch, to Curiosities, To dispute Misteries.
a1393—a1657(Hide quotations)
†2.
a. Of conduct, behaviour, etc.: characterized by or encouraging wantonness or lasciviousness. Obsolete.
▸
a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron.
(St. John's Cambr.)
(1872)
IV. 67 (MED)
It was i-doo wiþ foule songes and gestes and iapes and nyse menstralcie.
?a1400
(▸a1338)
R. Mannyng Chron.
(Petyt)
ii. 236 (MED)
We salle..telle ȝow oþer tales of..Madok þe Morgan, of þer nyce ribaudie.
a1450
(▸?a1390)
J. Mirk Instr. Parish Priests
(Claud.)
(1974)
61 (MED)
From nyse iapes and rybawdye, Thow moste turne a-way þyn ye.
c1500
(▸?a1437)
Kingis Quair
(1939)
cxxix
Gif thy lufe [be] sett alluterly Of nyce lust, thy trauail is in veyne.
1529 T. More Supplyc. Soulys i. f. xviv
These nyce and wanton wordis do not very well with vs.
1587 Sir P. Sidney & A. Golding tr. P. de Mornay Trewnesse Christian Relig. Ep. Ded. sig. *3v
Ouercome with nyce pleasures and fond vanities.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Antony & Cleopatra
(1623)
iii. xiii. 182
When mine houres Were nice and lucky, men did ransome liues Of me for iests.
View more context for this quotation
1665 G. Wither Seasonable Memorandum in Misc. Wks.
(1872–7)
iv. 7
A nice and wanton Appetite, Longs after Kickshaws, and takes more delight In dishes made up of they know not what.
a1387—1665(Hide quotations)
b. Of a person: wanton, dissolute, lascivious. Obsolete.
▸
a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis
(Fairf.)
vii. 4578 (MED)
Anthonie..was so nyce, Wherof nature hire hath compleigned Unto the god.
c1400 Simonie
(Peterhouse)
(1991)
l. 118
Þese nyse [c1330 Auch. wantoune] prestes..playeth here nyse game By nyȝt.
a1425
(▸?a1400)
G. Chaucer Romaunt Rose
(Hunterian)
1285
Nyce she was, but she ne mente Noon harme ne slight in hir entente, But oonly lust & jolyte.
a1450
(▸c1412)
T. Hoccleve De Regimine Principum
(Harl. 4866)
(1897)
1473 (MED)
Þou woldest han as wantonly þe gyed As doþ þe nycest of hem.
c1450 in F. J. Furnivall Hymns to Virgin & Christ
(1867)
53 (MED)
Dampned soulis..wolen not do weel, but euere be nyce.
?1530 J. Rastell Pastyme of People sig. *Aiv
He put out of his court all nyce and wanton people.
1565 T. Peend Pleasant Fable Hermaphroditus & Salmacis f. A7v
And yet some women say, that they be innocentes, god wot. This nycy Nymphe doth dysplay whether it be true or not.
1598 W. Shakespeare Love's Labour's Lost iii. i. 21
These are complementes, these are humours, these betraie nice wenches that would be betraied without these.
View more context for this quotation
1605 G. Chapman et al. Eastward Hoe ii. sig. B4v
The nice fondling, my Lady sir-reuerence.
a1393—1605(Hide quotations)
c. Of dress: extravagant, showy, ostentatious. Also in extended use. Obsolete.
▸
1395 Remonstr. against Romish Corruptions
(Titus)
(1851)
7 (MED)
Prelatis..that..wasten the godis of the chirche..in pride, glotonie, and lecherie, and nice arai of the world..ben theuis and sleeris of pore men.
c1450 W. Lichefeld Complaint of God
(Lamb. 853)
205 in F. J. Furnivall Polit., Relig., & Love Poems
(1903)
205 (MED)
Þou studiest aftir nyce aray, And makist greet cost in cloþing.
c1475 tr. C. de Pisan Livre du Corps de Policie
(Cambr.)
(1977)
189 (MED)
The ladies lefte their nyce arrayes, and the men lefte their glotonyes.
1563 2nd Tome Homelyes sig. Yy.ii
An Image with a nyce and wanton apparell and countenaunce.
1568
(▸?a1513)
W. Dunbar in W. T. Ritchie Bannatyne MS
(1928)
II. 148
So nyce array, So strange to thair abbay Wtin this land was nevir hard nor sene.
1607 J. Harington tr. L. Ariosto Orlando Furioso
(new ed.)
vi. 46
No vertuous labour doth this people please, But nice apparrell, belly-cheare and ease.
a1771 C. Shaw Poems
(1776)
175
He flutters forth Borne on light wing, in nice array, To shew himself in open day.
1395—a1771(Hide quotations)
d. Of a person: finely dressed, elegant. Cf. Phrases 3a. Obsolete.
c1400 Bk. to Mother
(Bodl.)
48 (MED)
Þou schalt fynde..none nyce dameselis wiþ garlondis of gold ne perlis.
1483 W. Caxton tr. J. de Voragine Golden Legende 128 b/1
She chastysed them that were nyce and queynte, sayeng that suche nycete was fylthe of the sowle.
?1529 R. Hyrde tr. J. L. Vives Instr. Christen Woman i. xii. sig. O.iiijv
She shal not..vse her voyce to be feate and nyce.
c1580 Merye Hist. Mylner Abyngton
(new ed.)
sig. C.i
The wenche she was full proper and nyce Amonge all other she bare great price.
c1400—c1580(Hide quotations)
3.
a. Precise or particular in matters of reputation or conduct; scrupulous, punctilious. Now rare.
▸
c1387–95 G. Chaucer Canterbury Tales Prol. 398
Ful many a draughte of wyn hadde he drawe Fro Burdeuxward whil that the chapman sleep; Of nyce conscience took he no keep.
c1450
(▸1410)
J. Walton tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos.
(Linc. Cathedral 103)
98 (MED)
Nyce men..Ye seken..To enbelesch youre excellent nature!
1557 Earl of Surrey et al. Songes & Sonettes sig. M
He the sole of conscience was so nice: That he no gaine would haue for all his payne.
?1573 H. Cheke tr. F. Negri Freewyl ii. iii. 81
He vnaduisedly strooke the young man, and because he is altogeather scrupulous and nice, he imagineth that he can not be free from irregularitie.
1693 T. Southerne Maids Last Prayer iv. i. 35
You shall promise me, for you are so nice in points of Honour.
1703 Clarendon's Hist. Rebellion II. vii. 187
So difficult a thing it is to play an after-Game of Reputation, in that nice and jealous profession.
1709 J. Swift Project Advancem. Relig. 11
Women of tainted Reputations find the same Countenance..with those of the nicest Virtue.
1785 W. Cowper Task iii. 85
Men too were nice in honor in those days, And judg'd offenders well.
1826 B. Disraeli Vivian Grey I. ii. v. 117
I am not very nice myself about these matters.
1843 E. Miall in Nonconformist 3 227
The Duke of Wellington said..‘Men who have nice notions about religion have no business to be soldiers.’
1887 S. Baring-Gould Red Spider I. xvii. 288
I should get it back again.., and not be too nice about the means.
1938 P. G. Wodehouse Code of Woosters xii. 261
Bertram Wooster in his dealings with the opposite sex invariably shows himself a man of the nicest chivalry.
1948 P. G. Wodehouse Spring Fever xiii. 127
Obtain possession of it by strong-arm tactics. Up against this dark and subtle butler, we cannot afford to be too nice in our methods.
c1387—1948(Hide quotations)
b. Fastidious, fussy, difficult to please, esp. with regard to food or cleanliness; of refined or dainty tastes.
c1400
(▸?c1380)
Cleanness
(1920)
824 (MED)
Þis vnfavere [read vnsavere] hyne Lovez no salt in her sauce, ȝet hit no skyl were Þat oþer burne be boute, þaȝ boþe be nyse.
a1425 St. Anthony 15 in Anglia
(1881)
4 116 (MED)
He wold neuer desyre oþer dayntys þan hys moder sett befor hym, os oþer nyse chylder done.
c1530 A. Barclay Egloges ii. sig. Ki
Make hunger thy sawse, be thou neuer so nyse For there shalt thou fynde none other sawse ne spyce.
1551 R. Robinson tr. T. More Vtopia sig. Iiii
Anothere ys of so nyce and soo delycate a mynde that he settethe nothynge by yt.
1570 T. Tusser Hundreth Good Pointes Husbandry
(new ed.)
f. 40
The slouen and the carelesse man, the roynish nothing nice.
1600 T. Dekker Old Fortunatus sig. A2v
Your nice soules, cloyd with dilicious sounds, Will loath her lowly notes.
a1656 Bp. J. Hall Shaking of Olive-tree
(1660)
ii. 3
Nice ears are all for variety of Doctrines, as palates of meats.
1702 W. Penn More Fruits of Solitude §136. 50
'Tis a Happiness to be delivered from a Curious Mind, as well as from a Dainty Palate. For it is not only a Troublesome but Slavish Thing to be Nice.
1707 E. Ward Wooden World Dissected 99
He is not so nice as his Superiors, whom nothing will go down with, under right Nantz or Rum.
1751 S. Johnson Rambler No. 104. ⁋9
The mind..becomes..nice and fastidious, and like a vitiated palate.
1789 Shepherd's Wedding 10
Nae doubt ye wad be owr nice for to spin.
1808 Specimens Yorks. Dial. 18
She's seea nice, She weant heeat puddin' meead o' rice.
1836 C. Shaw Let. 15 June in Personal Mem. & Corr.
(1837)
II. 593
I can eat anything, and am not very nice about the cleanliness.
1857 N. Hawthorne Jrnl. 13 Sept. in Eng. Notebks.
(1997)
II. vi. 378
Neither is it [sc. ivy] at all nice as to what it clutches, in its necessity for support.
1947 R. Pitter On Cats 15
To eat rats and such he was too nice.
1952 M. Kennedy Troy Chimneys 60
Nobody, seeing her then, could have been so nice as to complain of such blemishes.
c1400—1952(Hide quotations)
†c. Particular, strict, or careful with regard to a specific point or thing. Obsolete.
1584 R. Scot Discouerie Witchcraft ix. i. 167
Some are so nise, that they condemne generallie all sorts of diuinations.
1625 F. Bacon Ess.
(new ed.)
175
The Spartans were a nice People in Point of Naturalization.
1661 A. Marvell Let. 18 May in Poems & Lett.
(1971)
II. 24
The Parlament is always very nice & curious in this point.
1724 R. Wodrow Corr.
(1843)
III. 141
I find them very nice that no other..be admitted to this correspondence.
1777 R. Hitchcock Coquette ii. 24
I think this complexion is the most agreeable to black—One can't be too nice in suiting the complexion to the dress.
a1817 J. Austen Persuasion
(1818)
IV. iv. 69
Good company requires only birth, education and manners, and with regard to education is not very nice. Birth and good manners are essential.
View more context for this quotation
1839 A. Ure Dict. Arts 107
He is extremely nice in selecting his malt and hops.
1861 Ld. Brougham Brit. Constit.
(ed. 2)
viii. 99
Like the old Romans, never very nice in weighing how large a proportion of the people influenced the government.
1584—1861(Hide quotations)
d. Refined, cultured; associated with polite society.
1588 T. Hariot Briefe Rep. Virginia sig. A4v
Some also were of a nice bringing vp, only in cities or townes, or such as neuer (as I may say) had seene the world before.
1603 S. Daniel Panegyrike sig. H2v
Eloquence and gay wordes are..but the garnish of a nice time, the Ornaments that doe but decke the house of a State.
1697 J. Vanbrugh Relapse i. 15
The Lards I commonly eat with, are People of a nice Conversation.
1792 R. Burns in J. Johnson Scots Musical Museum IV. 341
O' nice education but sma' is her share.
1794 A. Radcliffe Myst. of Udolpho I. i. 14
As conversation awakened the nicer emotions of her mind, that threw such a captivating grace around her.
1818 P. B. Shelley Julian & Maddalo 536
As we could guess From his nice habits and his gentleness.
1874 ‘G. Eliot’ in Macmillan's Mag. July 162
‘Truce, I beg!’ Said Osric, with nice accent.
1918 W. Cather My Ántonia i. xvii. 143
Heavy field work'll spoil that girl. She'll lose all her nice ways and get rough ones.
1981 Cook's Mag. Nov. 46/1
‘Trash’ fish. (A nicer phrase is ‘underutilized species’—the fish that fishermen toss back into the sea).
1588—1981(Hide quotations)
†e. Fastidious in matters of literary taste or style. Obsolete.
1594 Zepheria xviii. sig. D1v
If more nice wits censure my lines crooked, Thus I excuse, I writ my light remoued.
1628 G. Wither Britain's Remembrancer Premonit. 5
I had rather twenty nice Criticks should censure mee.
c1665 L. Hutchinson Mem. Col. Hutchinson
(1973)
To Children 4
His judgment was so nice that he could never frame any speech beforehand to please himselfe.
1711 A. Pope Ess. Crit. 18
Thus Criticks, of less Judgement than Caprice, Curious, not Knowing, not exact but nice, Form short Ideas.
1770 J. Langhorne & W. Langhorne tr. Plutarch Lives
(1879)
II. 735/2
Such digressions as these the nicest readers may endure, provided they are not too long.
1841 W. Allston Monaldi ii. 35
To do him justice, he is a very nice critic, and not unskilled in poetry.
1594—1841(Hide quotations)
f. Respectable, virtuous, decent.Now sometimes hard to distinguish from sense A. 14c (of a person).
1799 J. Austen Let. 11 June
(1995)
45
The Biggs would call her a nice Woman.
1876 C. M. Yonge Womankind xvi. 126
Though a well managed, innocent and select rink is quite possible, ‘nice’ girls would do well to abstain from those where a chance public shares the sport.
1881 H. James Portrait of Lady III. v. 69
‘Do you consider it nice to make love to married women?’.. ‘It's certain that all the nice men do it.’
1905 E. Wharton House of Mirth i. xiv. 245
He had never wanted to marry a ‘nice’ girl: the adjective connoting..certain utilitarian qualities..apt to preclude the luxury of charm.
1935 ‘A. Bridge’ Illyrian Spring xi. 139
He came of nice people, in the peculiar sense in which the English use the word nice—meaning thereby, not that a family is necessarily either amiable or amusing, but merely that it possesses a certain degree of good breeding.
1979 R. Jaffe Class Reunion
(1980)
i. i. 23
They took her to resort hotels..where she could meet nice Jewish boys.
1799—1979(Hide quotations)
g. Of a topic of conversation, mode of conduct, etc.: in good taste, appropriate, proper. Usually in negative contexts.
1863 A. Trollope Rachel Ray II. x. 205
‘But didn't he mean that he intended to marry a Baslehurst lady?’ ‘He meant it in that sort of way in which men do mean such things... But don't let us talk any more about it, mamma. It isn't nice.’
1896 A. R. White Youth's Educator iii. 31
Many children form habits which are not nice, such as spitting on the floor, scratching the head, stretching themselves out upon a chair, yawning, etc.
1928 Observer 22 July 7
Camberley..was rather like a shocked maiden aunt, who had been forced to look on at something not quite ‘nice’.
1967 S. Terkel Division Street vii. 162
To shoot people in the dark..it sounds trite to say, it's not nice.
1993 N.Y. Times Bk. Rev. 27 June 14/2
We readers begin to suspect that there is something not altogether nice about the beautiful, sorrowful Eugenia's relationship with her half brother, Edgar.
1863—1993(Hide quotations)
†4.
a. In early use: faint-hearted, timorous, cowardly, unmanly. Later also: effeminate. Obsolete.
▸
a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis
(Fairf.)
iv. 610
Whi hast thou drede?.. Ha, nyce herte, fy for schame! Ha, couard herte of love unlered!
c1450
(▸1410)
J. Walton tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos.
(Linc. Cathedral 103)
282 (MED)
Þe [read ye] nyce men ond mased in ȝoure mende, Why nyll ye fighte aȝeyn aduersite?
a1500 Lancelot of Laik
(1870)
1944
The..wice Wich makith o king within hyme self so nyce hyme with-drowith Them to repref.
1574 J. Baret Aluearie N 98
Men thinke they wax [printed way] nice & effeminate.
1598 J. Florio Worlde of Wordes
An effeminate, nice, milkesop, puling fellow.
1607 R. Niccols Cuckow 10
Their womans manhood by their cloaths perfum'd..Whose nice, effeminate and base behauiour Was counted comely.
1681 R. L'Estrange tr. Cicero Offices
(ed. 2)
64
Any thing that is Loose, Nice, and Effeminate.
1691 A. D'Anvers Poem upon his Majesty 7
You Britannia have been found of late, Soft to a Scorn, Nice, and Effeminate, From your Brave Ancestors degenerate.
1703 T. Baker Tunbridge-walks sig. A8v
Maiden, A Nice-Fellow, that values himself upon all Effeminacies.
a1393—1703(Hide quotations)
b. Slothful, lazy, sluggish. Obsolete.
▸
a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum
(BL Add.)
f. 179
Catotephas..ben litil of bodye and nyse [L. iners] of membres and slowe.
?a1430 T. Hoccleve Mother of God l. 5 in Minor Poems
(1970)
i. 52
Thogh þat I be nyce, And negligent in keepyng of his lawe.
▸
1440 Promptorium Parvulorum
(Harl. 221)
355
Nyce, Iners.
1604 R. Cawdrey Table Alphabet.
Nice, slow, laysie.
a1398—1604(Hide quotations)
c. Not able to endure much; tender, delicate, fragile. Obsolete.
c1450 C. d'Orleans Poems
(1941)
140 (MED)
Be nyse myn hert as purse is of an ay.
1562 W. Bullein Bk. Use Sicke Men f. lvi, in Bulwarke of Defence
Soche be the weake, feble, nise stomackes of many.
1617 W. Lawson Countrie Housewifes Garden x. 24 in New Orchard & Garden
(1618)
The bee is tender and nice, and onely liues in warm weather.
a1674 Earl of Clarendon Life
(1842)
i. 927/2
He..was of so nice and tender a composition, that a little rain or wind would disorder him.
c1710 C. Fiennes Diary
(1888)
26
But these are nice plants and are kept mostly under Glass's, ye aire being too rough for them.
1798 J. Boaden Cambro-Britons iii. 59
I take blame..That I..longer to embrace that tender form, Trust its nice sense to the chill breeze of night.
1813 M. R. Mitford Rival Sisters i. 271
The flowery mound, Where many a cherish'd tender blossom sprung, Where nice exotics wintery shelter found.
c1450—1813(Hide quotations)
d. Pampered, luxurious. Obsolete. rare.
1621 R. Burton Anat. Melancholy i. ii. iv. ii. 194
We..spoile our childrens manners, by our overmuch cockering and nice education.
1720 J. Ozell et al. tr. R. A. de Vertot Hist. Revol. Rom. Republic II. xii. 221
All the Roman Youth that had..grown effeminate with nice Living, joined and favoured Catiline.
1621—1720(Hide quotations)
†5. Strange, rare, extraordinary. Obsolete.
c1395 G. Chaucer Canon's Yeoman's Tale 842
Thogh he sitte at his book bothe day and nyght In lernyng of this eluyssh nyce [v.r. wise] loore, Al is in veyn..To lerne a lewed man this subtiltee.
a1500
(▸1413)
Pilgrimage of Soul
(Egerton)
(1953)
iv. xxvi. f. 69v (MED)
I merveyled noght..so muche of no thing þat I sawe..as I do now of this nyce sight.
▸
?a1513 W. Dunbar Poems
(1998)
I. 115
Quhone I awoyk, my dreme it wes so nyce, Fra everie wicht I hid it as a vyce.
1535 Bible
(Coverdale)
Ecclus. xliii. 27
For there by straunge wonderous workes, dyuerse maner of nyce beestes and whall fishes.
1555 R. Eden tr. Peter Martyr of Angleria Decades of Newe Worlde iii. ii. f. 95
Frome hensforth we shal neyther enuye nor reuerence the nyse frutefulnes of Stoidum, or Taprobana, or the redde sea.
a1573 W. Lauder Minor Poems
(1870)
38
I think this change is wonderus strange & nyce!
1603 Philotus cxlix. sig. Fv
This purpois gosse, appeirs to me Sa wonder nyce and strange to be.
1703 R. Thoresby Let. 27 Apr. in J. Ray Philos. Lett.
(1718)
333
Nise, strange, nise Work, strang.
c1395—1703(Hide quotations)
†6.
a. Shy, coy, (affectedly) modest; reserved. Obsolete.
a1400
(▸?c1300)
Bevis of Hampton
(Egerton)
l. 3199 + 7
Maydens at her first weddyng, Wel nyse al þe first nyȝt.
1568 Christis Kirk on Grene in W. T. Ritchie Bannatyne MS
(1928)
II. 262
Thay wer so nyss quhen men thame nicht Thay squeilit lyk ony gaitis.
?1592 Trag. Solyman & Perseda sig. A3
Then be not nice Perseda as women woont, To hasty louers.
1599 in W. Fraser Mem. Maxwells of Pollok
(1863)
II. 9
I ame sorie that ye vas so nyce uith the Lorde Murley, for he is my olde freinde.
1637 J. Milton Comus 6
Ere..The nice Morne on th'Indian steepe From her cabin'd loop hole peepe.
1693 R. Ames Folly of Love
(ed. 2)
20
Now nice, then free, now grave, and then more common, There is no other Riddle but a Woman.
1739 D. Bellamy Innocence Betray'd ii. iii. 112
'Tisn't a Virtue, Lucia, but a Vice, To be so very coy! so very nice.
a1763 W. Shenstone Wks.
(1773)
I. ii. 282
She nor nice nor coy Accepts the tribute of a joyless day.
1823 C. K. Sharpe Ballad Bk. 9
The lasses o' the Cannogate, O, they are wond'rous nice,—They winna gie a single kiss, But for a double price.
a1400—1823(Hide quotations)
b. Shy, reluctant, or unwilling in regard of or to. Also with in or infinitive. Obsolete.
a1560 W. Kennedy Passioun of Christ in J. A. W. Bennett Devotional Pieces
(1955)
33
O I vnding, of all helping so naice.
1568 A. Scott Poems
(1896)
91
The nycest to ressave Vpoun the nynis will nip it.
1617 F. Moryson Itinerary iii. 40
I found the Italians nothing nice to shew their strong forts to me and to other strangers.
c1665 L. Hutchinson Mem. Col. Hutchinson
(1973)
29
She is the nicest creature in the world of suffering her perfections to be knowne.
1668 A. Behn Oroonoko in Wks.
(1718)
55
They are extreme modest and bashful, very shy, and nice of being touch'd.
1676 J. Dryden Aureng-Zebe ii. 29
Virtue is nice to take what's not her own.
1699 P. A. Motteux Island Princess ii. 13
Virgins are nice to Love; I wou'd not have her forc'd; give her fair liberty.
a1560—1699(Hide quotations)
7.
a. Not obvious or readily understood; difficult to decide or settle; demanding close consideration; †intricate (obsolete).
▸
?a1500 R. Henryson tr. Æsop Fables: Wolf & Lamb l. 2722 in Poems
(1981)
101
O man of law, let be thy subtelte, With nice gimpis and fraudis intricait.
a1522 G. Douglas in tr. Virgil Æneid
(1957)
iii. Prol. 14
Nyce laborynth, quhar Mynotaur the bull Was kepit.
1581 G. Pettie tr. S. Guazzo Ciuile Conuersat.
(1586)
i. 19
The finer wit a man is of, the more he beateth it..about nice and intricate pointes.
1649 Bp. J. Taylor Great Exemplar iii. § xiv. 51
The way to destruction is broad and plausible, the way to heaven nice and austere.
1689 W. Popple tr. J. Locke Let. conc. Toleration 3
Opinions..about nice and intricate Matters that exceed the Capacity of ordinary Understandings.
1759 W. Robertson Hist. Scotl. I. 175
It was the work but of one day to examine and to resolve this nice problem.
1789 W. Belsham Ess. I. vii. 134
It becomes a very nice and curious question indeed.
1847 A. Helps Friends in Council I. ii. 20
One of the nicest problems for a man to solve.
1885 Manch. Examiner 3 June 5/1
Whether the agreement was actually violated is a question involving several nice points.
1906 J. Galsworthy Man of Prop. 238
Boulter, who had the matter in hand..told him that in his opinion it was rather a nice point; he would like counsel's opinion on it.
1980 D. Lodge How far can you Go?
(1981)
v. 143
It is a nice question how far you can go in this process without throwing out something vital.
?a1500—1980(Hide quotations)
b. Minute, subtle; (of differences) slight, small.
1561 T. Norton tr. J. Calvin Inst. Christian Relig. i. xii. f. 29
Nowe leauyng nice suttleties, lette us wey the matter it selfe.
1612 T. James Treat. Corruption Script.
(new ed.)
iv. 6
They seeme to mince and slice the matter into certaine nice and subtile distinctions.
1662 E. Stillingfleet Origines Sacræ iii. iii. §4
Without perplexing our minds about those more nice and subtile speculations.
1733 A. Pope Ess. Man i. 205
Twixt that, and Reason, what a nice Barrier, For ever sep'rate, yet for ever near.
1784 S. Johnson Let. 2 Sept.
(1994)
IV. 390
Your critick seems to me to be an exquisite Frenchman; his remarks are nice; they would at least have escaped me.
1855 A. Bain Senses & Intellect i. i. 110
The generality of people can appreciate far nicer differences than these.
1870 J. S. Howson Metaphors St. Paul ii. 41
When we desire to appreciate the nicer shades of meaning.
1948 T. Heggen Mister Roberts x. 123
Everything was planned to the nicest detail.
1974 Current Anthropol. 15 134
There is a nice distinction between suicide, self-sacrifice, and martyrdom.
1561—1974(Hide quotations)
c. Precise in correspondence; exact, closely judged.
1710 J. Addison Whig Examiner No. 4. ¶8
A very nice Resemblance.
1746 J. Hervey Medit.
(1818)
127
You may observe..in its gently-bending tufts, the nicest symmetry.
1802 W. Paley Nat. Theol. xii. 237
A nicer accommodation to their respective conveniency.
1841 E. Miall in Nonconformist 1 1
No words could describe with nicer accuracy the political movements of English dissenters.
1866 Duke of Argyll Reign of Law ii. 92
The nice and perfect balance which is maintained between these two Forces.
1950 ‘C. S. Forester’ Mr. Midshipman Hornblower i
He revelled in the nice calculation of chances.
1981 Shakespeare Q. 32 252
Tovah Feldshuh was darkly beautiful and radiantly youthful... Her Romeo..was a nice match for her.
1710—1981(Hide quotations)
8. That requires or involves great precision or accuracy. Now rare.
a1522 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid
(1957)
iii. iv. 138
Our fallowschip exerce palestrale play.., Nakit worsling and strougling at nyse poynt.
1590 ‘Pasquil’ First Pt. Pasquils Apol. sig. D2v
The pearle of the word, must not be weighed in those scales that men commonly vse to weigh their yron, it is a nicer work.
1665 R. Boyle Occas. Refl. ii. viii. sig. P4
The Watch I use to measure the time with in nice Experiments.
1756 A. Butler Lives Saints I. Introd. Disc. p. xv
The indagation is often a task both nice and laborious.
1776 A. Smith Inq. Wealth of Nations I. i. x. 127
A house carpenter seems to exercise rather a nicer and more ingenious trade than a mason.
View more context for this quotation
1822 J. Imison Elem. Sci. & Art I. 35
Those who are engaged in making nice philosophical experiments.
1840 Penny Cycl. XVI. 209/2
For nice purposes the metal may be obtained in a state of purity by the following process.
1891 Manufacturer & Builder July 148
Devices employed to determine the amount of electric force in the current..being purely arbitrary and founded upon no law,..could not be accurately depended upon for nice experiments.
1911 Amer. Econ. Rev. 1 468
It is by nice experiment and comparison that the precise point is determined.
a1522—1911(Hide quotations)
†9.
a. Slender, thin, fine; insubstantial. Obsolete.
1567 J. Maplet Greene Forest
(1930)
ii. 77
The Fig tree, is of no high growth, neither nice in bodie, but grossely set and thick.
1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene iii. ii. sig. Cc7v
As Ladies wont, in pleasures wanton lap, To finger the fine needle and nyce thread.
1600 E. Fairfax tr. T. Tasso Godfrey of Bulloigne ii. xxxix. 27
Her loftie hand would of it selfe refuse To touch the daintie needle, or nice thred.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Othello
(1622)
iii. iii. 15
The pollicy may either last so long, Or feede vpon such nice, and watrish diet.
a1631 J. Donne Poems
(1633)
7
Glassie bubles, with the gamesome boyes Stretch to so nice a thinnes through a quill That they themselves breake.
1749 H. Fielding Tom Jones IV. x. iv. 32
Let me have the Bacon cut very nice and thin; for I can't endure any Thing that's gross.
View more context for this quotation
1567—1749(Hide quotations)
b. Unimportant, trivial. Obsolete.
a1594 Edmond Ironside
(1991)
ii. i. 73
My lord, you are to scrupulous, To vnadvised, to fearefull with out Cavse To stand vppon such nice excuses.
1597 W. Shakespeare Romeo & Juliet v. ii. 18
The letters were not nice, but of great weight.
View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Julius Caesar
(1623)
iv. ii. 60
In such a time as this, it is not meet That euery nice offence should beare his Comment.
View more context for this quotation
1684 W. Killigrew Ormasdes v. 89
You have no argument for this command, But your own nice, unnecessary thought, By which your virtue, may become a fault!
a1594—1684(Hide quotations)
10.
†a. That enters minutely into details; meticulous, attentive, sharp. Obsolete.
1589 G. Puttenham Arte Eng. Poesie ii. xii. 86
We imputed it to a nice & scholasticall curiositie in such makers.
1617 F. Moryson Itinerary iii. 35
His company is like to be shunned, as of a nice observer of mens actions and manners.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics ii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 82
Some Peasants, not t' omit the nicest Care, Of the same Soil their Nursery prepare.
View more context for this quotation
1738 in J. Keill Ess. Animal Oecon.
(ed. 4)
Pref. p. xx
Nicer inquiries into the Structures of the Parts.
1789 G. White Nat. Hist. Selborne 16
Upon a nice examination..I could discover nothing resinous in them.
1839 Civil Engineer & Architect's Jrnl. 2 328/2
It fluctuates..perceptibly to a nice observer.
1864 F. C. Bowen Treat. Logic xii. 397
The cases may be strictly parallel in every visible respect, as tested by the nicest observations.
1589—1864(Hide quotations)
b. Of the eye, ear, etc.: able to distinguish or discriminate to a high degree; sensitive, acute.
1593 Sir P. Sidney Arcadia 22
Such a man was Argalus, as hardly the nicest eye can find a spot in.
1622 G. Wither Faire-virtue sig. I2
If there be present here, Any one, whose nicer eare: Taskes my Measures, as offending.
1659 W. Chamberlayne Pharonnida iii. iv. 231
The nice eye here epitomiz'd might see Rich Persia's wealth.
1721 J. Dart Westminster-Abbey 60
The Numbers harsh appear, And the rough Language grates the nicer Ear.
1755 J. Shebbeare Lydia
(1769)
II. 142
A nice pallate in good liquor had made my landlord a favourite companion.
1795 J. Wolcot Hair Powder in Wks.
(1812)
III. 304
Dull though thy tympanum, her nicer ear Catches a thunder-growl from yonder sphere.
1847 H. Miller Test. Rocks
(1857)
v. 209
Gifted..with a peculiarly nice eye for detecting those analogies.
1873 R. Browning Red Cotton Night-cap Country iv. 273
The nice eye can distinguish grade and grade.
1904 L. Binyon Death of Adam 85
Works divine..suffered only to be scanned (With fond touches of the hand) By the nice appraising eye.
1980 N.Y. Times
(Nexis)
2 June c2
The Quebec native rode for 15 years and has a nice eye for horse flesh.
1993 Amer. Q. 45 314
Silverman also has a nice ear for the overdetermined resonances that sound throughout Poe's life.
1593—1993(Hide quotations)
c. Delicate or skilful in manipulation; dexterous. Also figurative.
a1631 J. Donne Poems
(1633)
150
So devoutly nice Are Priests in handling reverent sacrifice, And nice in searching wounds the Surgeon is As wee, when wee embrace, or touch, or kisse.
1647 H. Bold in Cyprian Acad. p. xiv
Thy twisted Plott so nice a hand hath spun, You'd sweare it were not only made, but done.
1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 83. ¶4
One Person at Work, who was exceeding slow in his Motions, and wonderfully nice in his Touches.
1764 T. Reid Inq. Human Mind i. iii. 78
The nicest artist cannot make a feather or the leaf of a tree.
1806 J. Beresford Miseries Human Life I. ii. 40
Jobs that require both a nice hand, and a contriving head.
1838 W. G. Simms Carl Werner 100
She lay buried in the bosom of the solid rock, whence his nice hand and searching instrument of steel, gave her release.
1956 Amer. Q. 8 283
He sketches phases of it..and when his data are ample, he does so with a nice hand.
1992 M. J. Staples Sergeant Joe
(BNC)
95
She let him treat her ankle and put liniment on it... ‘It's coming along,’ said Joe. ‘Well, you've got a nice touch, Joe’.
a1631—1992(Hide quotations)
d. Of judgement, etc.: finely discriminative.
1697 K. Chetwood Pref. to Pastorals in J. Dryden tr. Virgil Wks. sig. ***2v
Virgil..was of too nice a Judgment to introduce a God denying the Power and Providence of the Deity.
1742 W. Shenstone School-mistress xxi
With nice Discernment see Ye quench not too the Sparks of nobler Fires!
1785 G. Crabbe News-paper 13
We cannot call their morals pure, Their judgment nice, or their decisions sure.
1833 H. Martineau French Wines & Politics i. 16
No people on earth had so nice a sense of the morally graceful.
1845 S. Austin tr. L. von Ranke Hist. Reformation in Germany
(ed. 2)
I. 297
His style is not above mediocrity, nor does he evince any nice sense of elegance and form.
1903 H. Keller Story of my Life i. xx. 72
Just at the moment when you need your memory and a nice sense of discrimination, these faculties take to themselves wings and fly away.
1985 Glasgow Herald 5 Oct. 7/3
There is nice judgement needed to decide just when to come to the refinement of adding the infusion of a pint or so of strong black Darjeeling tea.
1697—1985(Hide quotations)
†11.
a. Critical, doubtful; full of risk or uncertainty. Obsolete.
1598 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 1 iv. i. 48
To set so rich a maine On the nice hazard of one doubtfull houre? It were not good.
View more context for this quotation
1608 D. Tuvill Ess. Politicke, & Morall f. 64v
Vnderstanding on what nice tearms the life of the Blacke-Prince..did stande.
1682 London Gaz. No. 1711/4
We bless Propitious Heaven, which..has directed Your Majesty in these Nice and Critical times.
1710 R. Wodrow Corr.
(1842)
I. 195
You know my itch after accounts of..the true state of things at this nice juncture.
1775 C. Lennox Old City Manners iii. i. 31
They are impatient to be gone, for their stay is dangerous; mine begins to be somewhat nice, and requires good speed.
1822 T. Creevey Reminiscences 28 July in H. Maxwell Creevey Papers
(1904)
I. 236
It has been a damned nice thing—the nearest run thing you ever saw in your life.
1598—1822(Hide quotations)
b. Requiring tact, care, or discrimination in handling. Obsolete.
a1630 F. Moryson in Shakespeare's Europe
(1903)
ii. iii. 184
A Treatise to be written of purpose, and with deliberation vppon that nice Subiect.
1664 J. Wilson Projectors v
Things of this nature are so nice, and kickish, the least Error renders them irretriveable.
1689 J. Collier Moral Ess. conc. Pride 51
You are upon a touchy Point, and therefore I hope you will treat so nice a subject..with proportionable caution.
1741 S. Richardson Pamela III. ix. 40
I hope you had Presence of Mind to do this.—For it was a nice Part to act.
1777 R. Watson Hist. Reign Philip II I. iii. 86
For several years in the nicest political negociations.
1842 R. H. Barham Auto-da-fé in Ingoldsby Legends 2nd Ser. 67
On a subject so nice It's a delicate matter to give one's advice.
1858 S. Lover Songs & Ballads
(ed. 4)
216
'Twas agreed an appeal to the sky Should be made in a matter so nice.
a1630—1858(Hide quotations)
12.
a. Minutely or carefully accurate.
1600 W. Shakespeare Much Ado about Nothing v. i. 75
Ile prooue it on his body if he dare, Dispight his nice fence, and his actiue practise.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost vi. 584
All at once thir Reeds Put forth, and to a narrow vent appli'd With nicest touch.
View more context for this quotation
1699 R. Bentley Diss. Epist. Phalaris
(new ed.)
Pref. p. xciii
The largest and nicest knowledge of the English Language, of any man living.
1769 J. Reynolds Disc. Royal Acad., 2 Jan. 1769 8
That critical period of study, on the nice management of which their future turn of taste depends.
1805 Ld. Collingwood 16 Dec. in Ld. Nelson Disp. & Lett.
(1846)
VII. 242
To pass them from the leeward..required nice steerage.
1849 H. W. Longfellow Building of Ship in Seaside & Fireside 8
With nicest skill and art,..A little model the Master wrought.
1925 W. Cather Professor's House i. xiii. 146
He never acquired a nice laboratory technic. He would fail repeatedly in some perfectly sound experiment because of careless procedure.
1600—1925(Hide quotations)
†b. Of an instrument or apparatus: capable of showing minute differences; finely poised or adjusted. Obsolete.
a1628 F. Greville Certaine Wks.
(1633)
i. 54
To pease his deeds, by her nice weights and measure.
1644 in Curious Accts.
(Edinb. Laing)
f. 19
To Daved Lowgnes vyff after the coumpes wos nies 20 li. 16s.
1666 R. Boyle Origine Formes & Qualities 397
Imploying a nice pair of Gold Scales..I found that this Powder weigh'd somewhat..more than twice so much common Water.
1704 J. Harris Lexicon Technicum I. at Hygroscope
You will find this plain and simple Instrument, the nicest Hygrometer of any, for it will show you very small Alterations.
1771 T. Percival Ess. Med. & Exper.
(1776)
III. 127
A watery dew..which being committed to a nice scale, may probably be found to be equal in gravity to a drop of rain.
a1820 J. Woodhouse Life Crispinus Scriblerus xi. in Life & Poet. Wks.
(1896)
I. 202/2
Martin's mathematic skill must fail To graduate, and grave, so nice a scale.
1875 E. H. Sears Serm. & Songs 29
Weigh arguments in the nicest intellectual scales.
a1628—1875(Hide quotations)
13. Of food or drink: dainty, choice; (later in weakened sense) tasty, appetizing; refreshing, restorative.
1709 W. King Art of Love
(new ed.)
iv. 37
Something nice and costly he could eat.
1709 D. Manley Secret Mem. 14
What a profuseness in eating, how his Table abounded, in what was nice as well as necessary.
1712 J. Arbuthnot App. to John Bull Still in Senses i. 9
This was but a pretence to provide some nice Bit for himself.
a1766 F. Sheridan Concl. Mem. Miss Sidney Bidulph
(1770)
V. 193
We sent her up three or four plates of the nicest things that were at table.
a1825 R. Forby Vocab. E. Anglia
(1830)
II. 333
Sunkets.., dainty bits; nice feeding.
1853 A. Soyer Pantropheon 284
Some of these pastries would appear very nice to us in the present day.
1899 R. Whiteing No. 5 John St. iv. 38
Her sex's universal restorative... ‘You shall have a nice cup of tea.’
a1911 D. G. Phillips Susan Lenox
(1917)
II. viii. 210
Would you like a nice drink?
1961 I. Fleming Thunderball iv. 38
The dimity world of the Nice-Cup-of-Tea.
1991 R. Doyle Van
(1992)
223
People coming out of the pub after a few jars..just wanted their chips and maybe a bit of cod with a nice crispy batter on it.
1709—1991(Hide quotations)
14.
a. That one derives pleasure or satisfaction from; agreeable, pleasant, satisfactory; attractive.
1747 D. Garrick Medley of Lovers i. 14
He speaks like a Lady for all the World, and never swears as Mr. Flash does, but wears nice white Gloves, and tells me what Ribbons become my Complexion.
1769 E. Carter Let. 7 Aug.
(1817)
II. 34
I intend to dine with Mrs. Borgrave, and in the evening to take a nice walk.
1780 W. Beckford Biogr. Mem. Painters 110
A nice pocket edition.
a1817 J. Austen Northanger Abbey
(1818)
I. xiv. 254
‘I am sure,’ cried Catherine, ‘I did not mean to say any thing wrong; but it is a nice book, and why should not I call it so?’ ‘Very true,’ said Henry, ‘and this is a very nice day, and we are taking a very nice walk, and you are two very nice young ladies. Oh! it is a very nice word indeed!—it does for every thing.’
1860 Baroness Bunsen in A. J. C. Hare Life & Lett. Baroness Bunsen
(1879)
II. v. 270
Lilies of the valley, and I know not what nice things.
1897 M. Kingsley Trav. W. Afr. 654
How nice it must be to be able to get about in cars, omnibuses and railway trains again!
1915 L. Woolf Let. 10 Feb.
(1990)
210
We have at last got a rather nice house here.
1928 D. H. Lawrence Lady Chatterley's Lover xvii. 308
The trip was really quite nice. Only Connie kept saying to herself: Why don't I really care! Why am I never really thrilled?
1985 N.Y. Times
(Nexis)
28 Nov. a12
He was impeccably dressed in a suit and a very nice tie.
1996 C. McWilliam Shredding Icebergs in H. Ritchie New Sc. Writing 6
It's a mercy she's nice eyes. Her eyes are nice.
1747—1996(Hide quotations)
b. Used as an intensifier with a predicative adjective or adverb in nice and —— , sometimes ironically.
1796 F. Burney Camilla II. iv. vii. 390
Just read this little letter, do, Miss, do—it won't take you much time, you reads so nice and fast.
1800 Infant's Libr. IX. 7
Skipping..is a very healthful play in winter; it will make you nice and warm in frosty weather.
1846 D. Jerrold Mrs. Caudle ii. 6
You'll be nice and ill in the morning.
1939 L. M. Montgomery Anne of Ingleside v
S'posin' he et a lot of the little green apples..and got nice and sick?
1959 I. Opie & P. Opie Lore & Lang. Schoolchildren ix. 162
Spread it on the butty nice and thick.
1998 H. M. Malton Down in Dumps viii. 62
I had banked up the fire in the morning, getting it nice and hot.
1796—1998(Hide quotations)
c. Of a person: pleasant in manner, agreeable, good-natured; attractive.
1797 M. Robinson Walsingham IV. lxxxi. 152
‘Marry Miss Hanbury!’ said I, with astonishment... ‘Why not?’ cried his lordship; ‘she's a nice girl.’
1837 J. Richardson Brit. Legion
(ed. 2)
ix. 220
The Commandant, whom I subsequently found to be a very nice fellow.
1843 C. Dickens Christmas Carol v. 160
‘Is your master at home, my dear,’ said Scrooge to the girl. Nice girl! Very.
1896 G. Ade Artie v. 41
‘Who is he—one o' them rah-rah boys with a big bunch o' hair?’.. ‘He's an awfully nice fellow,’ responded young Mr. Hall, stiffly.
1920 ‘K. Mansfield’ Let. 21 Jan.
(1993)
III. 188
The directress is a very nice french woman.
1972 J. Wilson Hide & Seek ii. 29
Do you know something, Mary? Mr Harris is the nicest man I know, except for my father.
1999 R. T. Davies Queer as Folk: Scripts Episode 2. 43
Marcie: Do you think she's nice? Vince: Yes I do. Marcie: That's brilliant cos she fancies you.
1797—1999(Hide quotations)
d. Used ironically.
1798 J. Austen Let. 24 Dec.
(1995)
31
We are to have Company to dinner on friday; the three Digweeds & James.—We shall be a nice silent party I suppose.
1836 C. Dickens Let. 29 Dec.
(1965)
I. 217
I have been clearing off all the rejected articles to-day, and nice work I have had.
1851 D. Jerrold St. Giles & St. James
(new ed.)
viii, in Writings I. 75
A nice job I've had to nibble him.
1896 E. Turner Little Larrikin xviii. 209
Aren't you going to stop and see Clem off?.. You are a nice one.
1908 L. M. Montgomery Anne of Green Gables ix. 95
This is a nice way for you to behave, Anne! Aren't you ashamed of yourself?
1939 P. Cheyney Dangerous Curves ii. 29
I'd have been taken for a nice little car ride and found in the local ash-can.
1978 J. McGahern Getting Through 140
If I found that you didn't want me, I'd be in a nice fix.
1798—1978(Hide quotations)
e. Kind or considerate in behaviour; friendly (towards others). Frequently in to be nice (to) .
1830 T. Moore Mem.
(1854)
VI. 152
She has, in the nicest and most delicate way, procured them.
1872 T. Hardy Under Greenwood Tree II. v. i. 202
‘Not nice of Master Enoch,’ said Dick.
1887 I. Randall Lady's Ranche Life Montana 165
When I say Van was good, I mean he was nice to me.
1920 F. S. Fitzgerald This Side of Paradise i. i. 38
I'm tired of being nice to every poor fish in school.
1983 P. Kurth Anastasia
(1985)
iii. xiv. 404
In Wollmann's opinion, altogether too much time had been wasted trying to be ‘nice.’
1993 T. Hawkins Pepper iv. 72
The woman standing next to you is pregnant. It might be a nice gesture to offer her your seat.
1830—1993(Hide quotations)
f. Of a (finished) action, task, etc.: well-executed; commendably performed or accomplished. Now frequently in interjections, as nice going! , nice try! , nice work! . Also used ironically or sarcastically.
1850 Amer. Whig Rev. May 508
Haven't I made a reg'lar nice job of it? This is Carlo, sure as preachin'!
1897 B. Stoker Dracula viii. 92
The New Woman..will do the proposing herself. And a nice job she will make of it, too!
1914 S. Lewis Our Mr. Wrenn iv. 57
‘Nice work,’ Satan interjected from time to time, with smooth irony. ‘Sure. Go ahead. Like to hear your plans.’
1938 Sun
(Baltimore)
20 June 8/2
Ruth said, ‘Nice going, kid,’ and that simple compliment pleased the young Cincinnati pitcher more than all of the other praises he received.
1971 R. Rendell One Across v. 48
She's made a nice job of my hair, hasn't she? I wouldn't want Ethel to think I'd let myself go.
1992 Economist 2 May 32/2
The employment department has set up a project to provide 61,000 training places. Nice try—except that there are currently 1.3m long-term unemployed.
1850—1992(Hide quotations)
g. colloquial. nice one: expressing approval or congratulations for something done well. In later use also ironically.Popularized by the song Nice One Cyril, used in a television commercial for bread in the early 1970s, and recorded in 1973 by the Tottenham Hotspur football team (associated with the former Tottenham player Cyril Knowles).
1970 I. R. Hebditch I do like to be beside Seaside
(unpubl. Ph.D. thesis, De Montfort University)
(O.E.D. Archive)
§5. 8
‘Action's on tonight down the “Cage”.’ ‘Nice one.’
1971 B. Marley Kinky Reggae
(song lyrics)
Nice one, nice one, that's what they say.
1973 H. Spiro & H. Clarke
(title of song)
Nice one Cyril.
1974 T. Brooke-Taylor Goodies File 52
How about calling yourselves ‘The Goodies’—Nice one eh?
1985 B. Zephaniah Dread Affair 19
Nice one Handsworth doing fine.
1990 M. Lipman Thank you for having Me
(BNC)
115
‘They're on the top table with Her Royal Highness. We're on Table No 5 with no one we know.’ ‘Nice one,’ I said darkly.
1999 Nouse
(Univ. York)
Mar. (Muse Suppl.) 4/4
After acknowledging encores as a ludicrous act, Pitchshifter simply stayed on the stage, played three more songs, and then left. Nice one lads.
1970—1999(Hide quotations)
B. adv.
†1. Foolishly. Obsolete.
a1450–1509
(▸?a1300)
Richard Coer de Lyon
(A-version)
(1913)
3857 (MED)
Lytyl wurþ þey are and nyce prowde; Fyȝte þey cunne wiþ wurdes lowde.
a1475 Sidrak & Bokkus
(Laud)
(1998)
I. 3227
The foule crepith in as nyce Into the mouth of þe cokadryce And þe wormes eteth ychone.
a1450—a1475(Hide quotations)
2. Satisfactorily, thoroughly; prettily, pleasingly. Now nonstandard.
?1544 J. Heywood Foure PP sig. B.iv
But prycke them and pynne them as nyche, as ye wyll.
?1567 M. Parker Whole Psalter cxix. 345
Curst be they all: from thy good lore: who wander wyll to nyse.
a1756 E. Haywood New Present
(1771)
53
Take a fine piece of sturgeon, wash and clean it very nice.
1879 E. Harrigan Mulligan Guard Ball i. ii. 12
‘I'll wear me hair pompadour.’..‘Well, get it up nice’.
1946 K. Tennant Lost Haven
(1947)
vii. 97
You get dressed up nice this afternoon.
1987 N. Hinton Buddy's Song viii. 40
He sings really nice and he's picked up the guitar ever so quick.
?1544—1987(Hide quotations)
Phrases
†P1. In proverbial phrases in sense A. 3b, as nice as a nun's hen, more nice than wise. Obsolete.
c1450
(▸c1405)
Mum & Sothsegger
(BL Add. 41666)
(1936)
237 (MED)
Þou ne art nycier þan a nunne nyne-folde tyme.
a1500 in R. L. Greene Early Eng. Carols
(1935)
268 (MED)
Some be nyse as a nonne hene.
1553 T. Wilson Arte of Rhetorique iii. f. 117v
I knewe a Priest that was as nice as a Nonnes Henne.
1562 J. Heywood Of Mine Acquayntance Certaine Yong Man ii. i, in Wks.
She tooke thenterteinment of the yong men All in daliaunce, as nice as a nuns hen.
1581 B. Rich Farewell Militarie Profession sig. R.ijv
More nice then wise.
1653 H. More Antidote against Atheisme i. ii. 3
Suppose..the other more nice than wise should reply, Nay, it may possibly be otherwise.
1687 A. Behn Amours Philander & Silvia 415
A sort of People of the Reformed Religion, whose pretences were more Nice, than Wise.
1719 R. Pack Misc. in Verse & Prose 73
Some travell'd Fop, more nice than wise, Shall wholesome Luxury despise.
1782 W. Cowper Mutual Forbearance in Poems 20
Some people are more nice than wise.
a1817 J. Austen Northanger Abbey
(1818)
I. xiv. 254
It ought only to be applied to you, without any commendation at all. You are more nice than wise.
View more context for this quotation
1859 J. C. Swayze Ossawattomie Brown iii. iii. 21
I think you're a great heap more nice than wise. You aint too good lookin', nuther.
1873 C. B. Hartley Gentlemen's Bk. Etiquette 65
There is, we know, such a thing as being ‘too nice’—‘more nice than wise.’ It is quite possible to be fastidious.
c1450—1873(Hide quotations)
†P2. to make (it) nice : to display reserve or reluctance; to entertain a scruple or doubt. Obsolete.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 624
I make it coye, or nyce as a daungerouse person doth, je fais lestrange.
1575 J. Rolland Treat. Court Venus iii. f. 50
Raab, and Ruth..War licht Ladeis, thocht ȝe it mak sa nice.
1606 W. Birnie Blame of Kirk-buriall xi. sig. C4v
Althogh they seeme to make nyce in praying for dead.
a1616 W. Shakespeare King John
(1623)
iii. iv. 138
And he that stands vpon a slipp'ry place, Makes nice of no vilde hold to stay him vp.
View more context for this quotation
1637 S. Rutherford Lett.
(1863)
I. lxxxi. 205
Christ..cometh in..without ceremonies, or making it nice, to make a poor ransomed one His own.
1677 R. Gilpin Dæmonol. Sacra ii. iii. 215
They make not nice to tell him, That there is no possibility of Salvation, but in their way.
1530—1677(Hide quotations)
P3.
a. to look nice : to have an attractive or pleasing appearance; to be smartly dressed.
1793 Minstrel II. 182
She was desirous of looking as nice as possible.
1836 Going to Service xii. 139
O, you look so nice,..any body would take you for an experienced servant.
1870 M. Bridgman Robert Lynne II. xii. 255
Cuthbert liked her to look nice.
1903 C. A. Taylor From Rags to Riches in America's Lost Plays
(1940)
VIII. 134
Flos. [Sits down timidly and adjusts skirts; raises her eyes]: Why don't you tell me I look nice?
1952 L. T. Stanley Woman Golfer 61
A ‘pretty-pretty’ swing may look nice, but it doesn't get you very far.
1991 Righting Words 4 14/1
Some magazines have a dislike for justified right margins. I think they look nice.
1793—1991(Hide quotations)
b. In similative phrases in sense A. 14, esp. in nice as nice.See also as nice as ninepence at ninepence n. 2b, nice as pie at pie n.2 5a.
1796 M. Robinson Angelina I. 44
The parson's daughters are as nice as my nail and as clean as a penny!
a1897 T. E. Brown Coll. Poems
(1900)
434
Sittin' beside her as nice as nice.
1991 Independent 3 Dec. 19/7
Roy Gleenslade (former Mirror ed) promises not to stich Mr Kinnock up, to be as nice as nice.
1796—1991(Hide quotations)
P4. nice work if you can get it: expressing envy of what is perceived to be another's more agreeable situation, esp. if it seems to have been attained with little effort.
1937 G. Gershwin & I. Gershwin Nice Work if you can get It
(song)
Holding hands at mid-night 'Neath a starry sky, Nice work if you can get it, And you can get it if you try.
1958 Listener 2 Oct. 492/1
The Frenchman..may well reply with impatience: ‘Nice work if you can get it.’
1986 Chicago Tribune
(Nexis)
11 Dec. 28
She'll be entertaining on board; nice work if you can get it.
1992 New Musical Express
(BNC)
14 Nov. 45
The Farm will no doubt continue doing what they do... Nice work if you can get it, but we really do deserve much better.
1937—1992(Hide quotations)
P5. North American colloquial. to make nice (also nice-nice) : to be pleasant or polite, esp. in an expedient or hypocritical way; to smooth things over.
1958 A. Laurents & S. Sondheim West Side Story i. i. 14
I'm gonna make nice there! I'm only gonna challenge him.
1975 A. McCaffrey Kilternan Legacy
(1976)
xvii. 215
Oh, I know he was making nice-nice when he thought he could wheedle the right of way out of me.
1993 Newsweek 25 Jan. 42/2
His aides insisted that he has no intention of making nice-nice with Saddam and every intention of holding Iraq to the last letter of the multiple U.N. resolutions.
2000 Sci. Amer. Oct. 26/3
Microsoft, after making its fortune all these years on proprietary standards like Windows, suddenly wants to make nice, perhaps in the hope that the U.S. Department of Justice is watching.
1958—2000(Hide quotations)
Compounds
C1.
nicelookingness n.
1865 R. Broughton in Dublin Univ. Mag. Aug. 131/1
Miss Chester was gifted with that sort of nice-lookingness, arising principally from a good nose, and a rather clear, unmixed-looking colour.
1953 J. Cromwell Grain of Sand iii. 67
It is a pity he is not a handsome man. Or an ugly, Socrates-looking one His plainness, his nicelookingness, is a sorrow to him.
2012 D. Share Wishbone 72
She was nice looking, so I looked at the nicelookingness as the wind entered the train.
1865—2012(Hide quotations)
C2.
† nice-becoming adj. Obsolete rare
1727 W. Pattison Poet. Wks. I. 135
Full in the midst, with nice-becoming Grace, Stood Youth.
1727—1727(Hide quotations)
† nice-brained adj. Obsolete rare
1604 J. Marston & J. Webster Malcontent
(new ed.)
Prol. sig. I4
She is defild. With too nice-brained cunning.
1604—1604(Hide quotations)
† nice-conscienced adj. Obsolete
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 323/1
Scrupulouse, nyce conscyensed.
1642 J. Vicars God in Mount 21
These squemish and nice-conscienced fellows.
1530—1642(Hide quotations)
† nice-discerning adj. Obsolete
1745 T. Warton Five Pastoral Eclogues 9
A hoard of choicest chesnuts, which I cull'd With nice-discerning care.
1774 ‘J. Collier’ Musical Trav. App. 26
Should his lordship's nice-discerning eye, perceive any Jacobitical expressions in his works.
a1820 J. Woodhouse Life Crispinus Scriblerus v. in Life & Poet. Wks.
(1896)
I. 98/2
She..Distinguishes, with nice-discerning ear, When accents hesitate, or tones are clear.
1745—a1820(Hide quotations)
† nice-driven adj. Obsolete rare
1630 tr. G. Botero Relations Famous Kingdomes World
(rev. ed.)
39
That politike and nice-driven negotiation of the peace betwixt England and Spaine.
1630—1630(Hide quotations)
† nice-eared adj. Obsolete
a1843 in R. Southey Common-place Bk.
(1849)
2nd Ser. 33/2
The chilling fastidiousness of some nice-eared critics.
1852 R. H. Stoddard Broken Goblet in Poems 67
Nice-eared Echo mocked him till he thought..he heard another Pan Playing.
a1843—1852(Hide quotations)
† nice-fingered adj. Obsolete
1785 W. Cowper Task i. 202
One..whose notes Nice-fingr'd Art must emulate in vain.
1857 N. Amer. Rev. July 43
If the nice-fingered myope should play sailor, the pirate would be sure to catch him.
1872 W. C. Smith Olrig Grange iii. 69
Costly lace Nice-fingered maidens knotted in Brabant.
1785—1872(Hide quotations)
nice-hearted adj.
1571 A. Golding tr. J. Calvin Psalmes of Dauid with Comm. (xxii. 2)
He was not so nyce~harted as to make a cruell yelping out for some comon harme.
1583 A. Golding tr. J. Calvin Serm. on Deuteronomie cxxxi. 806
Because ye people were ouertender and nyceharted, they had need of helpe.
2000 Financial Times
(Nexis)
4 May 18
Neither the blocked writer of would-be Broadway musicals..nor the nice-hearted hunk..has a free place.
1571—2000(Hide quotations)
† nice-judging adj. Obsolete
1735 H. Fielding Universal Gallant Prol. sig. A4
Bold is th' Attempt in this nice-judging Age, To try at Fame.
1744 J. Thomson Spring in Seasons
(new ed.)
19
There throw, nice-judging, the delusive Fly.
1874 W. C. Smith Borland Hall iv. 161
The capital force of the country still Is the power of work, the nice-judging eye.
1735—1874(Hide quotations)
nice-looking adj.
1807 J. Austen Let. 8 Feb.
(1995)
121
She is a nice looking woman.
1838 C. Dickens Oliver Twist I. xiv. 227
He is a nice-looking boy, is he not?
1985 E. Leonard Glitz xiii. 111
He was quite a nice-looking man.
1807—1985(Hide quotations)
† nice-mouthed adj. Obsolete
1618 N. Field Amends for Ladies iii. iii. sig. E2
A pox of these nise mouth'd creatures!
1816 ‘P. Pindar’ Ode XVI in Wks. II. 80
Starve the nice-mouth'd cattle Until they eat the chesnuts up.
1618—1816(Hide quotations)
† nice-palated adj. Obsolete
1683 T. Tryon Way to Health 225
Foolish Nice-pallated People and Gluttons.
1730 T. Cooke Candidates for Bays 5
A Dance of dumb Devils has ravish'd the City..And goes down with nice palated Ladies at Court.
1683—1730(Hide quotations)
† nice preserved adj. Obsolete rare
1594 W. Shakespeare Titus Andronicus ii. iii. 135
We will enioy, That nice preserued honestie of yours.
View more context for this quotation
1594—1594(Hide quotations)
† nice-scented adj. Obsolete rare
1777 R. Potter tr. Æschylus Tragedies 276
This stranger seems, like the nice-scented hound, Quick in the trace of blood.
1777—1777(Hide quotations)
nice-sized adj.
1799 J. Austen Let. 17 May
(1995)
40
We have two very nice sized rooms.
1879 Littell's Living Age 20 Dec. 734
‘You've a nice-sized room here,’ observed Eve.
1991 Alpha Feb. 63/3
My bedroom is on the topside with a very nice-sized adjoining bathroom.
1799—1991(Hide quotations)
nice spoken adj.
1852 Internat. Mag. Lit., Art & Sci. Apr. 539/2
‘Pretty, nice spoken thing,’ thought the widow; ‘as nice spoken as Miss Vilante.’
?1853 H. O. Pardey Nature's Nobleman i. 18
He's a nice spoken man. He talk'd about Burgoyne.
1931 L. A. G. Strong Garden 180
A nice spoken, friendly young lady.
1852—1931(Hide quotations)
† nice-spun adj. (and n.) Obsolete
1801 G. Dyer Redress in Poems 324
Mistaken bards!.. Tho' pure as heav'n's own beam the nice-spun lay, The sensual town must see for what they pay.
1834 S. Cooper Good's Study Med.
(ed. 4)
I. 533
Notwithstanding a few nice-spun and chimerical speculations..there is no book on physiology which a student ought to study more assiduously.
1801—1834(Hide quotations)
† nice-stomached adj. Obsolete
1604 J. Marston Malcontent iv. iii. sig. F3
It was the Duke, Whome straight the nicer stomackt sea Belcht vp.
1815 H. H. Milman Fazio
(1821)
17
Death's not nice-stomach'd, to be cramm'd With such unsavoury offal.
1604—1815(Hide quotations)
