nick
UK: nɪk | US: nɪk
n. a small cut or notch
vt. to make a small cut or notch in something
n. (slang) a prison or police station (chiefly British)
n. (informal) the precise moment; e.g., "in the nick of time"
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The word "nick" likely traces back to Middle English nyke, with possible ties to Old Norse hnikka (to notch). Its core meaning of "a small cut" has persisted, while colloquial extensions like "prison" (from the idea of being "marked" or confined) and "precise moment" (from the notion of a critical notch in time) emerged later. The word's simplicity and adaptability allowed it to evolve across contexts.
He accidentally nicked his finger while sharpening the pencil.
The thief was held in the nick overnight.
She arrived in the nick of time to catch the train.
The vase had a tiny nick on its rim.
The carpenter nicked the wood to mark the measurement.