different between nicety vs quiddity

English

Etymology

From Middle English nicetee, from Old French niceté (“simpleness, foolishness”), from nice (“simple, foolish”); equivalent to nice +? -ity.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?na?s?ti/

Noun

nicety (countable and uncountable, plural niceties)

1. A small detail or distinction.

   We met the new captain while we were taking enemy fire and were unable to observe the niceties of formal introductions.

   • the fineness and niceties of words

2. Subtlety or precision of use.

   A rocket-propelled grenade doesn't have the nicety of a sniper round, but you must admit its effectiveness.

3. Delicacy of character or feeling usually from excessive refinement; fastidiousness
4. (obsolete) That which is delicate to the taste.

Derived terms

• to a nicety

Translations

Further reading

• nicety in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• nicety in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.
• nicety at OneLook Dictionary Search

English

Etymology

From Middle French quiddité, and its source, Late Latin quidditas, from Latin quid + -itas.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /?kw?d?ti/

Noun

quiddity (plural quiddities)

1. (philosophy) The essence or inherent nature of a person or thing.
   • 1822, October, Charles Lamb, The Old Actors, published in London Magazine, section on “Mr. Munden” (ebook):

     A tub of butter, contemplated by him, amounts to a Platonic idea. He understands a leg of mutton in its quiddity. He stands wondering, amid the commonplace materials of life, like primæval man, with the sun and stars about him.

   • 1962, Vladimir Nabokov, Pale Fire:

     My vision reeked with truth. It had the tone,

     The quiddity and quaintness of its own

     Reality.

   • 1978, Lawrence Durrell, Livia, Faber & Faber 1992 (Avignon Quintet), p. 352:

     He represented my quiddity I suppose – the part which, thanks to you, has converted a black pessimism about life into a belief in cosmic absurdity.

2. (law) A trifle; a nicety or quibble.
3. An eccentricity; an odd feature.

Synonyms

• (essence): nature, quintessence, whatness; See also Thesaurus:essence

Coordinate terms

• (essence): quality
• quoddity

Derived terms

• quidditative

Translations

See also

• quiddity at OneLook Dictionary Search