neat 1
— neatly , adv. — neatness , n.
/neet/ , adj., neater, neatest , adv.
adj.
1. in a pleasingly orderly and clean condition: a neat room.
2. habitually orderly and clean in appearance or habits: a neat person.
3. of a simple, pleasing appearance, style, design, etc.: a neat cottage.
4. cleverly effective in character or execution: a neat scheme; a neat solution.
5. Slang. great; wonderful; fine: What a neat car!
6. clever, dexterous, or apt: She gave a neat characterization of the old woman.
7. straight (def. 33).
8. Building Trades.
a. (of cement) without sand or other aggregate.
b. (of plaster) without any admixture except hair or fiber.
9. net: neat profits.
adv.
10. Informal. neatly.
[ 1300-50; ME net spruce, trim, clean nitidus shining, polished, handsome, spruce, equiv. to nit ( ere ) to shine + -idus -ID 4 ]
Syn. 1. spruce, smart. 4. finished, well-planned. 6. adroit. 7. unmixed, pure.
Ant. 1. sloppy. 6. maladroit. 7. mixed.
neat 2
/neet/ , n. , pl. neat .
an animal of the genus Bos; a bovine, as a cow or ox.
[ bef. 900; ME neet, OE neat, c. ON naut, MD noot; akin to OE neotan to use, possess ]