different between nett vs netty

English

Adjective

nett (not comparable)

1. (dated) Alternative spelling of net (remaining after expenses or deductions).

   nett price; nett weight

Usage notes

This spelling is more dated (i.e., has been out of use for longer) in the United States than in Commonwealth countries.

Noun

nett (plural netts)

1. Obsolete form of net.

Anagrams

• tent, tent.

Alemannic German

Etymology

From Lower Rhenish Late Middle High German nett, from Middle Dutch net (“neat, decent, pretty”), from Old French net (“neat, decent”), from Latin nitidus. Cognate with German nett.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /net/

Adjective

nett (comparative netter, superlative nettischt)

1. nice
2. sweet

Declension

German

Etymology

From Middle Dutch net (“neat, decent, pretty”), from Old French net (“neat, decent”), from Latin nitidus. Compare English neat.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /n?t/

Adjective

nett (comparative netter, superlative am nettesten)

1. (of people) nice; friendly; likable
2. (of people; deeds) kind; sweet; helpful
3. (of things; situations) nice; okay; decent; often expressing a more reluctant praise

Declension

Derived terms

• Nettigkeit

Further reading

• “nett” in Duden online

Norwegian Bokmål

Etymology

From Old Norse net; compare with German Netz

Noun

nett n (definite singular nettet, indefinite plural nett, definite plural netta or nettene)

1. a net
2. a network
3. (in definite singular form) nettet - the Internet

Derived terms

References

• “nett” in The Bokmål Dictionary.

Norwegian Nynorsk

Etymology

From Old Norse net; compare with German Netz

Noun

nett n (definite singular nettet, indefinite plural nett, definite plural netta)

1. a net
2. a network
3. (in definite singular form) nettet - the Internet

Derived terms

References

• “nett” in The Nynorsk Dictionary.

English

Alternative forms

• nettie, neddy

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?n?ti/
• Rhymes: -?ti

Etymology 1

net (“elegant, neat”) +? -y (“forming adjs. of slightly lesser degree”)

Adjective

netty (comparative nettier, superlative nettiest)

1. (obsolete, rare) Neat, well-groomed, natty.
   • 1573, Thomas Tusser, "Points of Huswifrie" in Fiue Hundreth Points of Good Husbandry:

     How prettie, how fine and how nettie,
     Good huswife should yettie.

Etymology 2

net (“openwork fabric mesh”) +? -y (“forming adjectives”)

Adjective

netty (comparative nettier, superlative nettiest)

1. Netted: made of or employing a net.
   • 1587, Leonard Mascall, The Booke of Cattell: Sheep, p. 214:

     Ye ought for to keepe them close, till the day haue taken the gellie or netty rime, from the earth.

2. Netlike.

Etymology 3

Of uncertain etymology. Proposed derivations include a corruption of necessary, an euphemism for outhouse; French nettoyer (“to cleanse”); and Italian gabbinetti (“toilets”).

Noun

netty (plural netties)

1. (Tyneside) An outhouse: an outbuilding used as a lavatory.
   • 1978, John Lewis, Uncertain Sound, Ch. iii, p. 75:

     A line of pit cottages... tiny back gardens with outside lavatories, ‘netties’, some of them emptied twice a week by the council.

   • 1992 May 4, The Independent, p. 13:

     Our toilet was an outside netty shared between two or three families, where you sat on a hole and hoped the cat wouldn't jump at your backside.

2. (Tyneside) Any other place or fixture used for urination and defecation: a lavatory; a toilet.
   • 1903, English Dialect Dictionary, Vol. IV, p. 255:

     Netty, a privy or water-closet... A common name, amongst the working classes... In common use. In my recollection it was looked upon as a euphemism.

Usage notes

Originally reckoned euphemistic.

Synonyms

• (outhouse): See Thesaurus:bathroom
• (toilet): See Thesaurus:toilet

References

• A Dictionary of North East Dialect, Bill Griffiths, 2005, Northumbria University Press, ?ISBN
• Newcastle 1970s, Scott Dobson and Dick Irwin, [1]
• Todd's Geordie Words and Phrases, George Todd, Newcastle, 1977[2]
• The Geordie Netty: A Short History and Guide, Frank Graham, 1986, Butler Publishing; New edition, ?ISBN[3]