I. ˈnik noun
Etymology: Middle English nyke, probably alteration of nocke nock
Date: 15th century
1.
a. : a small notch, groove, or chip
b. : a small cut or wound
c. : a break in one strand of two-stranded DNA caused by a missing phosphodiester bond
2. : a final critical moment
in the nick of time
3. slang British : prison ; also : police station
4. British : condition
in good nick
II. verb
Date: 1523
transitive verb
1. : to jot down : record
2.
a. : to make a nick in : notch , chip
b. : to cut into or wound slightly
nick ed himself shaving
3. : to cut short
cold weather, which nick ed steel and automobile output — Time
4. : to catch at the right point or time
5. : cheat , overcharge
6.
a. slang British : arrest
b. slang British : steal
intransitive verb
1. : to make petty attacks : snipe
2. : to complement one another genetically and produce superior offspring