"notch, groove, slit," late 15c., nyke, of unknown origin, possibly influenced by Middle French niche (see niche), or from it. Nick of time is first attested 1640s (nick of opportunity is 1610s), possibly from an old custom of recording time as it passed by making notches on a tally stick, though nick in the general sense of "critical moment" is older (1570s, Hanmer, who adds "as commonly we say") than the phrase.
nick (v.)
1520s, "to make a notch in," from nick (n.). Sense of "to steal" is from 1869, probably from earlier slang sense of "to catch, take unawares, arrest" (1620s). The precise sense connection is unclear. Related: Nicked; nicking.
Nick
masc. proper name, familiar form of Nicholas. As "the devil" by 1640s, but the reason for it is obscure.
雙語例句
1. She sipped the wine. Everything was hazy now, except for Nick's face.
她小口地抿著酒。現在一切都變得模糊起來,除了尼克的臉。
來自柯林斯例句
2. News of interest cuts came in the nick of time for borrowers.
對借款人來說,減息的消息來得正是時候。
來自柯林斯例句
3. Davey sat as if hypnotized by the sound of Nick's voice.
戴維坐在那裏,好像被尼克的聲音迷住了似的。
來自柯林斯例句
4. Nick Sullivan previews this season's collections from Paris and Milan.
尼克·沙利文對這一季來自巴黎和米蘭的時裝係列作了預評。
來自柯林斯例句
5. Nick finished what he was saying and jumped down from the platform.