nicety

[nahy-si-tee]

noun

plural

niceties 

1. a delicate or fine point; punctilio.

   niceties of protocol.

2. a fine distinction; subtlety; detail.

   the niceties of the filigree work.

3. Usually niceties a refined, elegant, or choice feature, as of manner or living.

   working hard to acquire the niceties of life.

4. exactness or precision.

5. the quality of being nice; niceness.

6. delicacy of character, as of something requiring care or tact.

   a matter of considerable nicety.

nicety

/ ˈnaɪsɪtɪ /

noun

1. a subtle point of delicacy or distinction

   a nicety of etiquette

2. (usually plural) a refinement or delicacy

   the niceties of first-class travel

3. subtlety, delicacy, or precision

4. excessive refinement; fastidiousness

5. with precision

Other Word Forms

• overnicety noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of nicety¹

1275–1325; Middle English: silliness, extravagance, cleverness < Old French niceté. See nice, -ty ²

Example Sentences

He’s no longer constrained by what little caution and niceties he may have once had, or by officials and staffers who managed to, at least on occasion, thwart his cruelest instincts.

From Salon

He did not let the niceties of legal argument get in his way.

From Salon

Perhaps that is merely a more blunt-speaking approach from a new US administration determined to do away with niceties.

From BBC

But Jones and Redgrave have such a consistency in how they play these skittish lovers that it drives home the point that their cruel, untamed condition doesn’t adhere to the niceties of narrative convention.

From Los Angeles Times

Meanwhile, Morgan became a reliable scene stealer in acerbic British comedies, often playing bluntly profane characters with little regard for social niceties.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• nuance 
• refinement 
• rigor 
• subtlety