nicety Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun conformity with some esthetic standard of correctness or propriety
    rightness; justness.
    • it was performed with justness and beauty
  2. noun a subtle difference in meaning or opinion or attitude
    refinement; subtlety; nuance; shade.
    • without understanding the finer nuances you can't enjoy the humor
    • don't argue about shades of meaning

WordNet

Ni"ce*ty noun
Etymology
OE. niceté foolishness.
Wordforms
plural Niceties
Definitions
  1. The quality or state of being nice (in any of the senses of that word.).
    The miller smiled of her nicety. Chaucer.
  2. Delicacy or exactness of perception; minuteness of observation or of discrimination; precision.
  3. A delicate expression, act, mode of treatment, distinction, or the like; a minute distinction.
    The fineness and niceties of words. Locke.

Webster 1913