Neat, a. [Compar.Neater (?); superl.Neatest.] [OE. nett, F. nett, fr. L. nitidus, fr. nitere to shine. Cf. Nitid, Net, a., 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. “Our old wine neat.” Chapman.
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. [In this sense usually written net. See Net, a., 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.