a. [ Compar. Neater superl. Neatest. ] [ OE. nett, F. nett, fr. L. nitidus, fr. nitere to shine. Cf. Nitid, Net, a., Natty. ] 1. Free from that which soils, defiles, or disorders; clean; cleanly; tidy. [ 1913 Webster ] If you were to see her, you would wonder what poor body it was that was so surprisingly neat and clean. Law. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. Free from what is unbecoming, inappropriate, or tawdry; simple and becoming; pleasing with simplicity; tasteful; chaste; as, a neat style; a neat dress. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. Free from admixture or adulteration; good of its kind; as, neat brandy; to drink one's vodka neat. Hence: (Chem.) Pure; undiluted; as, dissolved in neat acetone. “Our old wine neat.” Chapman. [ 1913 Webster +PJC ] 4. Excellent in character, skill, or performance, etc.; nice; finished; adroit; as, a neat design; a neat thief. [ 1913 Webster ] 5. With all deductions or allowances made; net. [ In this sense usually written net. See Net, a., 3. ] [ 1913 Webster ]
neat line (Civil Engin.), a line to which work is to be built or formed. --
Neat work, work built or formed to neat lines. [ 1913 Webster ]
Syn. -- Nice; pure; cleanly; tidy; trim; spruce. [ 1913 Webster ] | 
