GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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1.       
   Nice , a. [Compar. Nicer ; superl. Nicest.] [OE., foolish, fr. OF. nice ignorant, fool, fr. L. nescius ignorant; ne not + scius knowing, scire to know.  Perhaps influenced by E. nesh delicate, soft. See No, and Science.]
   Foolish; silly; simple; ignorant; also, weak; effeminate. [Obs.]
   Gower.
   
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   But say that we ben wise and nothing nice.
   Chaucer.
   
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   Of trifling moment; unimportant; trivial. [Obs.]
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   The letter was not nice, but full of charge
   Of dear import.
   Shak.
   
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   Wanton. [Obs.]
   PJC
   Overscrupulous or exacting; hard to please or satisfy; fastidious in small matters.
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   Curious not knowing, not exact but nice.
   Pope.
   
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   And to taste
   Think not I shall be nice.
   Milton.
   
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   Delicate; refined; dainty; pure; -- of people.
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   Dear love, continue nice and chaste.
   Donne.
   
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   A nice and subtile happiness.
   Milton.
   
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   Apprehending slight differences or delicate distinctions; distinguishing accurately or minutely; carefully discriminating; as, a nice taste or judgment; -- of people.  “Our author happy in a judge so nice.” Pope.  “Nice verbal criticism.” Coleridge.
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   Done or made with careful labor; suited to excite admiration on account of exactness; evidencing great skill; exact; fine; finished; as, nice proportions, nice workmanship, a nice application.
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   Hence: Exactly or fastidiously discriminated; requiring close discrimination; fine; subtle; as, a nice point of law, a nice distinction in philosophy.
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   The difference is too nice
   Where ends the virtue, or begins the vice.
   Pope.
   
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   Pleasing; agreeable; gratifying; delightful; good; as, a nice party; a nice excursion; a nice day; a nice sauce, etc.; -- of events, actions, experiences.
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   Pleasant; kind; as, a nice person; -- of people.
   PJC
   Hence: Well-mannered; well-behaved; as, nice children; -- of people.
   PJC
   He's making a list, checking it twice.
   Gonna find out who's naughty or nice 
   Santa Claus is coming to town.
   Song.
   To make nice of, to be scrupulous about. [Obs.]
   Shak.
   
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   Syn. -- Dainty; delicate; exquisite; fine; subtle; accurate; exact; correct; precise; particular; pleasant; kind; scrupulous; punctilious; fastidious; squeamish; finical; effeminate; well-mannered; well-behaved.
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