neat line

Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Neat \Neat\, a. [Compar. Neater; superl. Neatest.] [OE. nett, F. nett, fr. L. nitidus, fr. nitere to shine. Cf. Nitid, Net, a., Natty.]

1.Free from that which soils, defiles, or disorders; clean; cleanly; tidy. [1913 Webster]

If you were to see her, you would wonder what poor body it was that was so surprisingly neat and clean.— Law.[1913 Webster]

2.Free from what is unbecoming, inappropriate, or tawdry; simple and becoming; pleasing with simplicity; tasteful; chaste; as, a neat style; a neat dress. [1913 Webster]

3.Free from admixture or adulteration; good of its kind; as, neat brandy; to drink one's vodka neat. Hence: (Chem.) Pure; undiluted; as, dissolved in neat acetone. "Our old wine neat." --Chapman. [1913 Webster +PJC]

4.Excellent in character, skill, or performance, etc.; nice; finished; adroit; as, a neat design; a neat thief. [1913 Webster]

5.With all deductions or allowances made; net.

Note: [In this sense usually written net. See Net, a., 3.] [1913 Webster]

neat line (Civil Engin.), a line to which work is to be built or formed.

Neat work, work built or formed to neat lines. [1913 Webster]

Syn: Nice; pure; cleanly; tidy; trim; spruce. [1913 Webster]