1. a fine detail or distinction, especially one regarded as intricate and fussy: "she was never interested in the niceties of Greek and Latin"Similarfine pointsubtletynuancefine distinctionshaderefinementdetail
▪ accuracy or precision: "she prided herself on her nicety of pronunciation"Similarprecisionaccuracyexactnessmeticulousnessrigorrigorousness
▪ a minor aspect of polite social behavior; a detail of etiquette:"we were brought up to observe the niceties"
Word OriginMiddle English (in the sense ‘foolish conduct’): from Old French nicete, based on Latin nescius ‘ignorant’ (see nice).
