(no subject)
wow. i certainly feel nice today.
[a. OF. nice, niche (now only dial.) = Prov. nesci, Catal. neci, Sp., Pg. necio, Pg., It. nescio:L. nescius: see NESCIOUS a.
The precise development of the very divergent senses which this word has acquired in English is not altogether clear. In many examples from the 16th and 17th centuries it is difficult to say in what particular sense the writer intended it to be taken.]
1. Foolish, stupid, senseless. Obs. (Common in 14th and 15th c.)
2. Wanton, loose-mannered; lascivious. Obs.
3. Strange, rare, uncommon. Obs.
4. a. Slothful, lazy, indolent. Obs. rare 0.
b. Effeminate, unmanly. Obs. rare.
c. Not able to endure much; tender, delicate.
d. Over-refined, luxurious. Obs.
5. a. Coy, shy, (affectedly) modest, reserved. Obs.
b. Shy, reluctant, unwilling. Const. to, in, of, or with inf. Obs.
6. Phr. to make (it) nice, to display reserve or reluctance; to make a scruple. Obs.
7. a. Fastidious, dainty, difficult to please, esp. in respect of food or cleanliness; also in good sense, refined, having refined tastes.
b. Particular, precise, strict, careful, in regard to some special thing.
c. Fastidious in matters of literary taste. Obs.
d. Precise or strict in matters of reputation or conduct; punctilious, scrupulous, sensitive.
e. Refined, cultured.
8. Requiring or involving great precision, accuracy, or minuteness.
9. a. Not obvious or readily apprehended; difficult to decide or settle; demanding close consideration or thought; intricate.
b. Minute, subtle; also of differences, slight, small.
c. Precise, exact, fine.
10. a. Slender, thin. Obs. rare.
b. Unimportant, trivial. Obs. rare.
11. a. Critical, doubtful, full of danger or uncertainty. Obs.
b. Delicate, needing tactful handling.
12. a. Entering minutely into details; attentive, close.
b. Of the eye, ear, etc.: Able to distinguish or discriminate in a high degree.
c. Of judgement, etc.: Finely discriminative.
d. Delicate or skilful in manipulation.
13. a. Minutely or carefully accurate.
b. Of instruments or apparatus: Showing minute differences; finely poised or adjusted.
14. Of food; Dainty, appetizing. spec. of a cup of tea.
15. a. Agreeable; that one derives pleasure or satisfaction from; delightful. nice girl (of an adult); freq. somewhat derisive.
b. to look nice, to have an agreeable, attractive, or pretty appearance.
c. Kind, considerate, or pleasant (to others).
d. In ironical use. Also nice and.
16. As adv. Nicely. rare.
17. Comb. as nice-conscienced, -eared, -fingered, etc.; nice-becoming, -looking, -spoken; nice-discerning, -judging; nice-driven, -preserved, -spun.
[a. OF. nice, niche (now only dial.) = Prov. nesci, Catal. neci, Sp., Pg. necio, Pg., It. nescio:L. nescius: see NESCIOUS a.
The precise development of the very divergent senses which this word has acquired in English is not altogether clear. In many examples from the 16th and 17th centuries it is difficult to say in what particular sense the writer intended it to be taken.]
1. Foolish, stupid, senseless. Obs. (Common in 14th and 15th c.)
2. Wanton, loose-mannered; lascivious. Obs.
3. Strange, rare, uncommon. Obs.
4. a. Slothful, lazy, indolent. Obs. rare 0.
b. Effeminate, unmanly. Obs. rare.
c. Not able to endure much; tender, delicate.
d. Over-refined, luxurious. Obs.
5. a. Coy, shy, (affectedly) modest, reserved. Obs.
b. Shy, reluctant, unwilling. Const. to, in, of, or with inf. Obs.
6. Phr. to make (it) nice, to display reserve or reluctance; to make a scruple. Obs.
7. a. Fastidious, dainty, difficult to please, esp. in respect of food or cleanliness; also in good sense, refined, having refined tastes.
b. Particular, precise, strict, careful, in regard to some special thing.
c. Fastidious in matters of literary taste. Obs.
d. Precise or strict in matters of reputation or conduct; punctilious, scrupulous, sensitive.
e. Refined, cultured.
8. Requiring or involving great precision, accuracy, or minuteness.
9. a. Not obvious or readily apprehended; difficult to decide or settle; demanding close consideration or thought; intricate.
b. Minute, subtle; also of differences, slight, small.
c. Precise, exact, fine.
10. a. Slender, thin. Obs. rare.
b. Unimportant, trivial. Obs. rare.
11. a. Critical, doubtful, full of danger or uncertainty. Obs.
b. Delicate, needing tactful handling.
12. a. Entering minutely into details; attentive, close.
b. Of the eye, ear, etc.: Able to distinguish or discriminate in a high degree.
c. Of judgement, etc.: Finely discriminative.
d. Delicate or skilful in manipulation.
13. a. Minutely or carefully accurate.
b. Of instruments or apparatus: Showing minute differences; finely poised or adjusted.
14. Of food; Dainty, appetizing. spec. of a cup of tea.
15. a. Agreeable; that one derives pleasure or satisfaction from; delightful. nice girl (of an adult); freq. somewhat derisive.
b. to look nice, to have an agreeable, attractive, or pretty appearance.
c. Kind, considerate, or pleasant (to others).
d. In ironical use. Also nice and.
16. As adv. Nicely. rare.
17. Comb. as nice-conscienced, -eared, -fingered, etc.; nice-becoming, -looking, -spoken; nice-discerning, -judging; nice-driven, -preserved, -spun.