Definition of "nicety" []

• The quality of showing or requiring careful, precise treatment: the nicety of a diplomatic exchange. (noun)
• Delicacy of character or feeling; fastidiousness; scrupulousness. (noun)
• A fine point, small detail, or subtle distinction: the niceties of etiquette. (noun)
• An elegant or refined feature; an amenity: the niceties of civilized life. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "That kind of diplomatic nicety from the Russians was so surprising that Clay immediately sent a “Confidential” cable to Washington saying: “Soviet courtesy of this type is so unusual that I attach significance to it as a possible preliminary move to a settlement which would be intended to prevent West German government.”"
• "Note: All this scrupulous nicety is at variance with the decision of St. Paul about meat offered to idols, 1 Cor. x."
• "“To a nicety, that is my opinion, now that you put it so clearly, sir.”"