nick

I. noun Etymology: Middle English nyke, probably alteration of nocke nock Date: 15th century 1. a. a small notch, groove, or chip b. a small cut or wound c. a break in one strand of two-stranded DNA caused by a missing phosphodiester bond 2. a final critical moment <

in the nick of time

> 3. slang British prison; also police station 4. British condition <

in good nick

> II. verb Date: 1523 transitive verb 1. to jot down ; record 2. a. to make a nick in ; notch, chip b. to cut into or wound slightly <

nicked himself shaving

> 3. to cut short <

cold weather, which nicked steel and automobile output — Time

> 4. to catch at the right point or time 5. cheat, overcharge 6. a. slang British arrest b. slang British steal intransitive verb 1. to make petty attacks ; snipe 2. to complement one another genetically and produce superior offspring