Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 11th Edition
TIDY
I. adjective (tidier; -est)
Etymology: Middle English, timely, in good condition, from tide time
Date: 13th century
properly filled out ; plump , adequately satisfactory ; acceptable , fair ,
3. neat and orderly in appearance or habits ; well ordered and cared for, methodical , precise , large , substantial , tidily adverb tidiness noun
II. verb (tidied; tidying)
Date: 1821
transitive verb to put in order , intransitive verb to make things tidy , tidier noun
III. noun (plural tidies)
Date: circa 1828
a usually compartmentalized receptacle for various small objects, a piece of fancywork used to protect the back, arms, or headrest of a chair or sofa from wear or soil