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Webster's Dictionary (1865)

3 entries under this word

Neat

Nēat, n.

noun

n. [A-S. neat, neaten, nētn, nyten, Icel. náut, neýti, Sw. nöt, Dan. nöt, O. H. Ger. nōz, probably from A-S. neótan, to make use of; Goth. niutan.]

Sense 1. Cattle of the bovine genus, as bulls, oxen, and cows. “Wherein the herds were keeping of their neat.” Spenser.

The steer, the heifer, and the calf Are all called neat. Shak.

Sense 2. A single bovine animal. [Rare.] Tusser.

Neat’s-foot oil, an oil obtained by boiling the feet of neat cattle, and much used to render leather soft and pliable.

Nēat, a.

adjective

[See NEAT, n.] Belonging to the bovine genus; as, neat cattle; also belonging or relating to such cattle.

Nēat, a.

adjective

a. [compar. NEATER; superl. NEATEST.] [O. Eng. neht, Fr. & Pr. net, Sp. neto, It. netto, from Lat. nitidus, D. net, Ger. nett, Sw. nätt. See NITID, and cf. O. H. Ger. niot, niet, O. Sax. niud, desire, eager; niotsam, O. Sax. niudsam, desirable; Ger. nied, niedlich, neat, nice.] 1. Free from that which soils, defiles, or disorders; clean; cleanly; tidy. If you were to see her, you would wonder what poor body it was that was so surprisingly neat and clean. Lau.

  1. Free from what is unbecoming, in bad taste, tawdry, or the like; pleasing with simplicity; chaste: as, a neat style; a neat dress.
  2. Free from admixture or adulteration; good in its kind; excellent; nice; as, neat brandy. “Our old wine neat.” Chapman.
  3. Hence, complete in character, skill, &c.; adroit; as, a neat thief.
  4. With all deductions made; clear of expense or waste; net.

Syn. — Nice; pure; cleanly; tidy; trim; spruce.