neat
UK: niːt | US: niːt
adj. tidy and orderly in appearance or arrangement
adj. cleverly simple and effective
adj. (of alcoholic drinks) served without ice or mixers
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Originally from Old English nēat meaning "cattle," the word evolved through Middle English to describe things associated with cattle (e.g., "neat’s foot oil"). By the 16th century, it took on the sense of "clean, pure" (possibly influenced by Latin nitidus "shiny, elegant"), eventually specializing to its modern meanings of tidiness and simplicity. The "undiluted alcohol" sense (19th century) reflects purity.
She keeps her desk remarkably neat.
The software offers a neat solution to the problem.
He prefers his whiskey neat.
The artist’s neat strokes gave the painting precision.
Her handwriting is small and neat.