Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

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.

            If you were to see her, you would wonder what poor
            body it was that was so surprisingly neat and clean.
                                                  --Law.

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

   3. Free from admixture or adulteration; good of its kind; as,
      neat brandy. ``Our old wine neat.'' --Chapman.

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

   5. With all deductions or allowances made; net.

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

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

   {Neat work}, work built or formed to neat lines.

   Syn: Nice; pure; cleanly; tidy; trim; spruce.