Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 11th Edition
NEAT
I. noun (plural neat or neats)
Etymology: Middle English neet, from Old English nēat; akin to Old High German nōz head of cattle, Old English nēotan to make use of, Lithuanian nauda use Date: before 12th century the common domestic bovine ( Bos taurus ),
II. adjective
Etymology: Middle French net, from Latin nitidus bright, neat, from nitēre to shine; probably akin to Middle Irish níam luster
Date: 1542
free from dirt and disorder ; habitually clean and orderly,
2. free from admixture or dilution ; straight , free from irregularity ; smooth , marked by tasteful simplicity ,
4. precise , systematic , marked by skill or ingenuity ; adroit , net , fine , admirable , neatly adverb neatness noun
III. adverb
Date: 1649
in a neat manner , without admixture or dilution ; straight