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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Neat \Neat\, adjective [Compar. {Neater}; superl. {Neatest}.] [OE. nett, F. nett, fr. L. nitidus, fr. nitere to shine. Cf. {Nitid}, {Net}, adjective, {Natty}.]
1. Free from that which soils, defiles, or disorders; clean; cleanly; tidy.
If you were to see her, you would wonder what poor body it was that was so surprisingly neat and clean. --Law.
2. Free from what is unbecoming, inappropriate, or tawdry; simple and becoming; pleasing with simplicity; tasteful; chaste; as, a neat style; a neat dress.
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.
5. With all deductions or allowances made; net.
Note: [In this sense usually written {net}. See {Net}, adjective, 3.]
{neat line} (Civil Engin.), a line to which work is to be built or formed.
{Neat work}, work built or formed to neat lines.
Syn: Nice; pure; cleanly; tidy; trim; spruce.
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