neat
Meaning
tidy and in order; carefully arranged
done or performing in a skillful and efficient way
(of an alcoholic drink) served without ice or water or other mixer
(informal, dated) very good; excellent
Usage
she keeps her desk remarkably neat.
he made a neat job of repairing the fence.
i'll have a neat whiskey, please.
Etymology
the word 'neat' has a journey that illuminates its modern meanings of tidiness and skill. it entered middle english from anglo-norman 'neit', which itself originated from latin 'nitidus', meaning 'shining, bright, elegant'. the core semantic link is from the literal sense of a polished, gleaming appearance to the more abstract qualities of elegance, order, and admirable simplicity. this evolution reflects how a quality associated with visual cleanliness and brightness became metaphorically attached to actions and arrangements that are admirably precise and uncluttered.
Analysis
the word is a simplex form. it is derived from the latin adjective 'nitidus' meaning 'shining, elegant', which itself comes from the verb 'nitere' meaning 'to shine'.