a small notch, groove, chip, or the like, cut into or existing in something.
a hollow place produced in an edge or surface, as of a dish, by breaking, chipping, or the like: I didn't notice those tiny nicks in the vase when I bought it.
a small dent or wound.
a small groove on one side of the shank of a printing type, serving as a guide in setting or to distinguish different types.
Biochemistry. a break in one strand of a double-stranded DNA or RNA molecule.
BritishSlang. prison.
verb (used with object)
to cut into or through: I nicked my chin while shaving.
to hit or injure slightly.
to make a nick or nicks in (something); notch, groove, or chip.
to record by means of a notch or notches.
to incise certain tendons at the root of (a horse's tail) to give it a higher carrying position; make an incision under the tail of (a horse).
to hit, guess, catch, etc., exactly.
Slang. to trick, cheat, or defraud: How much did they nick you for that suit?
BritishSlang.
to arrest (a criminal or suspect).
to capture; nab.
to steal: Someone nicked her pocketbook on the bus.
Idioms for nick
in the nick of time, at the right or vital moment, usually at the last possible moment: The fire engines arrived in the nick of time.
Origin of nick
1475–85; obscurely akin to Old English gehnycned wrinkled, Old Norse hnykla to wrinkle
OTHER WORDS FROM nick
un·nicked,adjective
Words nearby nick
Nicholson, Nichrome, nicht, nicht wahr, Nicias, nick, nickel, nickel acetate, nickel-and-dime, Nickel Belt , nickel bloom
Just one grade ahead, Nick was tall and handsome and friendly.
A sweet book about first love|Terri Schlichenmeyer|October 11, 2020|Washington Blade
It wasn’t getting much traction, but a friend of Nick’s, who worked for an e-commerce agency, said that if the two could tweak it for building e-commerce pages specifically, his agency would use it and even pay them.
Shogun raises $35M to help brands take on Amazon with faster and better sites of their own|Ingrid Lunden|October 7, 2020|TechCrunch
Just pay attention to your guides and rollers to make sure that the steel cable hasn’t caused any nicks or rough spots, as this can fray your new rope when winding it in under tension.
Six ways to make your ATV even more rugged|By Tyler Freel/Outdoor Life|September 17, 2020|Popular Science
The incident sparked his belief in Santa, but he would have to wait nearly two decades before dressing up as Jolly St. Nick.
Kerry Bentivolio: The Congressman Who Believes in Santa Claus|Ben Jacobs|December 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Internet media entrepreneur Nick Denton is a person to whom harsh judgments adhere like barnacles.
The Gospel According to Nick Denton—What Next For The Gawker Founder?|Lloyd Grove|December 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
For Nick Offerman, of Parks and Recreation, the one is a thing: whiskey.
Swimming Owls, Jane Krakowski’s Peter Pan Live! Audition, and More Viral Videos|The Daily Beast Video|December 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“The majority of it goes to Nick and Owen, to the company,” former RSD instructor Kole told me.
The Secret World of Pickup Artist Julien Blanc|Brandy Zadrozny|December 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Pointing out that Nick Denton writes and speaks like a literate adult and not like a 14-year-old in remedial English.
Rage Against GamerGate’s Hate Machine: What I Got For Speaking Up|Arthur Chu|November 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It was apparent that, seasoned to surprises as they were, Nick's presence took them aback.
The Glimpses of the Moon|Edith Wharton
"Some of them make me feel as if I abused it," said Nick, looking at his host.
The Tragic Muse|Henry James
That he hath therefore at this nick of time so outraged and wronged me, it cannot be but by the malevolent and wicked spirit.
Gargantua and Pantagruel, Complete.|Francois Rabelais
"Give 'em a month from date in which to find the animals," replied Nick.
The Sweep Winner|Nat Gould
"Wait just one moment, and I then may be able to tell you," said Nick, rising.
With Links of Steel|Nicholas Carter
British Dictionary definitions for nick (1 of 2)
nick1
/ (nɪk) /
noun
a small notch or indentation on an edge or surface
a groove on the shank of a printing type, used to orientate type and often to distinguish the fount
British a slang word for prison, police station
in good nickinformalin good condition
in the nick of timeat the last possible moment; at the critical moment
verb
(tr)to chip or cut
(tr)slang, mainlyBritish
to steal
to take into legal custody; arrest
(intr often foll by off) informalto move or depart rapidly
to divide and reset (certain of the tail muscles of a horse) to give the tail a high carriage
(tr)to guess, catch, etc, exactly
(intr)(of breeding stock) to mate satisfactorily
nick someone forUS and Canadianslangto defraud someone to the extent of
Word Origin for nick
C15: perhaps changed from C14 nockenock
British Dictionary definitions for nick (2 of 2)
nick2
/ (nɪk) /
noun
computingan alias adopted by a member of a chatroom or forum; nickname