I. ˈnēt noun
( plural neat or neats )
Etymology: Middle English neet, from Old English nēat; akin to Old High German nōz head of cattle, Old English nēotan to make use of, Lithuanian nauda use
Date: before 12th century
: the common domestic bovine ( Bos taurus )
II. adjective
Etymology: Middle French net, from Latin nitidus bright, neat, from nitēre to shine; probably akin to Middle Irish níam luster
Date: 1542
1. : free from dirt and disorder : habitually clean and orderly
2.
a. : free from admixture or dilution : straight
neat brandy
neat cement
b. : free from irregularity : smooth
neat silk
3. : marked by tasteful simplicity
a neat outfit
4.
a. : precise , systematic
b. : marked by skill or ingenuity : adroit
5. : net
neat profit
6. : fine , admirable
• neat·ly adverb
• neat·ness noun
III. adverb
Date: 1649
1. : in a neat manner
his hair combed back neat — J. M. Cain
2. : without admixture or dilution : straight