GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

last match results

Found one definition

1.       
   Nice (nīs), a. [Compar. Nicer (nīsẽr); 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.]
   1. Foolish; silly; simple; ignorant; also, weak; effeminate. [Obs.]  Gower.
   
   [1913 Webster]
   
   But say that we ben wise and nothing nice. Chaucer.
   
   [1913 Webster]
   
   
   2. Of trifling moment; unimportant; trivial. [Obs.]
   
   [1913 Webster]
   
   The letter was not nice, but full of charge
   
   Of dear import. Shak.
   
   [1913 Webster]
   
   
   3. Wanton. [Obs.]
   
   [PJC]
   
   
   4. Overscrupulous or exacting; hard to please or satisfy; fastidious in small matters.
   
   [1913 Webster]
   
   Curious not knowing, not exact but nice. Pope.
   
   [1913 Webster]
   
   And to taste
   
   Think not I shall be nice. Milton.
   
   [1913 Webster]
   
   
   5. Delicate; refined; dainty; pure; -- of people.
   
   [1913 Webster]
   
   Dear love, continue nice and chaste. Donne.
   
   [1913 Webster]
   
   A nice and subtile happiness. Milton.
   
   [1913 Webster]
   
   
   6. 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.
   
   [1913 Webster]
   
   
   7. 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”.
   
   [1913 Webster]
   
   
   8. Hence: Exactly or fastidiously discriminated; requiring close discrimination; fine; subtle; as, “a nice point of law, a nice distinction in philosophy”.
   
   [1913 Webster]
   
   The difference is too nice
   
   Where ends the virtue, or begins the vice. Pope.
   
   [1913 Webster]
   
   
   9. Pleasing; agreeable; gratifying; delightful; good; as, “a nice party; a nice excursion; a nice day; a nice sauce, etc.”; -- of events, actions, experiences.
   
   [1913 Webster]
   
   
   10. Pleasant; kind; as, “a nice person”; -- of people.
   
   [PJC]
   
   
   11. 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.
   
   [1913 Webster]
   
   Syn. -- Dainty; delicate; exquisite; fine; subtle; accurate; exact; correct; precise; particular; pleasant; kind; scrupulous; punctilious; fastidious; squeamish; finical; effeminate; well-mannered; well-behaved.
   
   [1913 Webster]