GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English
last match results
Found 3 definitions
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Neat (nēt), n. sing. & pl. [AS. neát; akin to OHG. nōz, Icel. naut, Sw. nöt, Dan. nöd, and to AS. neótan to make use of, G. geniessen, Goth. niutan to have a share in, have joy of, Lith. nauda use, profit.] (Zool.) Cattle of the genus Bos, as distinguished from horses, sheep, and goats; an animal of the genus Bos; as, “a neat's tongue; a neat's foot.” Chaucer.
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Wherein the herds[men] were keeping of their neat. Spenser.
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The steer, the heifer, and the calf
Are all called neat. Shak.
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A neat and a sheep of his own. Tusser.
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Neat's-foot, an oil obtained by boiling the feet of neat cattle. It is used to render leather soft and pliable.
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Neat, a. [See neat, n.] Of or pertaining to the genus Bos, or to cattle of that genus; as, “neat cattle”.
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Neat, a. [Compar. Neater (?); superl. Neatest.] [OE. nett, F. nett, fr. L. nitidus, fr. nitere to shine. Cf. Nitid, Net, a., Natty.]
1. Free from that which soils, defiles, or disorders; clean; cleanly; tidy.
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If you were to see her, you would wonder what poor body it was that was so surprisingly neat and clean. Law.
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2. Free from what is unbecoming, inappropriate, or tawdry; simple and becoming; pleasing with simplicity; tasteful; chaste; as, “a neat style; a neat dress.”
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3. Free from admixture or adulteration; good of its kind; as, “neat brandy; to drink one's vodka neat”. Hence: (Chem.) Pure; undiluted; as, “dissolved in neat acetone”. “Our old wine neat.” Chapman.
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4. Excellent in character, skill, or performance, etc.; nice; finished; adroit; as, “a neat design; a neat thief.”
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5. With all deductions or allowances made; net. [In this sense usually written net. See Net, a., 3.]
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neat line (Civil Engin.), a line to which work is to be built or formed. -- Neat work, work built or formed to neat lines.
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Syn. -- Nice; pure; cleanly; tidy; trim; spruce.
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