nice English · revision 29

+ ==Etymology==

+ From [[enm|nice|t=foolish, stupid]],^(AHD)^(RHWU) [[bor|fro|nice|t=simple, foolish, silly]],^(Wiktionary)^(RHWU) [[der|la|nescius|t=ignorant, not knowing]],^(AHD)^(OED 1989) from ''ne-'' “not” + ''scīre'' “to know”.^(RHWU)^(Etymonline) Compare [[science]].^(Etymonline)

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+ Recorded from the late 13th century,^(Etymonline)^(RHWU) the word has passed through a remarkable series of senses: “foolish”, then “timid”, “fussy, fastidious” (late 14th century), “dainty, delicate” (c. 1400), “precise, careful” (16th century), “agreeable, delightful” (1769) and “kind, thoughtful” (1830).^(Etymonline) The OED notes that the precise development of these senses is not altogether clear.^(OED 1989)

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+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}