1. n. & v.
--n.
1. a small cut or notch.
2 Brit. sl. a a prison. b a police station.
3 (prec. by in with adj.) Brit. colloq. condition (in reasonable nick).
4 the junction between the floor and walls in a squash court.
--v.tr.
1. make a nick or nicks in.
2 Brit. sl. a steal. b arrest, catch.
Phrases and idioms:
in the nick of time only just in time; just at the right moment.
Etymology: ME: orig. uncert. 2. v.intr. Austral. sl. (foll. by off, in, etc.) move quickly or furtively.
Etymology: 19th c.: orig. uncert. (cf. NIP(1) 4)