spick-span

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• spick-and-span — [spik′ n span′] adj. [short for spick and span new < spick, var. of SPIKE1 + SPAN NEW < ME spon neowe < ON spān nȳr < spānn, a chip, shaving + nȳr,NEW] 1. new or fresh 2. neat and clean …   English World dictionary

• Spick and span — Spick Spick, n. [Cf. Sw. spik. See {Spike} a nail.] A spike or nail. [Prov. Eng.] [1913 Webster] {Spick and span}, quite new; that is, as new as a spike or nail just made and a chip just split; brand new; as, a spick and span novelty. See {Span… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

• Spick — Spick, n. [Cf. Sw. spik. See {Spike} a nail.] A spike or nail. [Prov. Eng.] [1913 Webster] {Spick and span}, quite new; that is, as new as a spike or nail just made and a chip just split; brand new; as, a spick and span novelty. See {Span new}.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

• spick and span — spic and span [ˌspık ən ˈspæn] adj [not before noun] informal a room, house etc that is spick and span is completely clean and tidy …   Dictionary of contemporary English

• spick and span — (also spic and span) ► ADJECTIVE ▪ neat, clean, and well looked after. ORIGIN originally in the sense «brand new»: from spick and span new, from Old Norse words meaning chip + new ; also influenced by Dutch spiksplinternieuw splinter new …   English terms dictionary

• spick and span — If a room is spick and span, it is very clean and tidy …   The small dictionary of idiomes

• spick-and-span — spick and span·ness; spick and span; …   English syllables

• spick and span new — Brand new • • • Main Entry: ↑spick …   Useful english dictionary

• spick and span — [ ,spık ən spæn ] adjective INFORMAL very clean and neat …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

• spick-and-span — spick and span, *neat, tidy, trim, trig, snug, shipshape Analogous words: *clean, cleanly: fresh, *new Antonyms: filthy …   New Dictionary of Synonyms