Nick

nik, n. a notch cut into something: a score for keeping an account: the precise moment of time: a lucky throw at hazard.— v.t. to cut in notches: to hit the precise time: to strike as if making a nick: to cheat: catch in the act: to cut short: ( Scot. ) to cut with a single snip, as of shears: to make a cut with the pick in the face of coal to facilitate blasting or wedging.— adj. Nick′-eared , crop-eared.— n. Nick′er , one who, or that which, nicks: a woodpecker: a street-ruffian in the early part of the 18th century.— Nick a horse's tail , to make a cut at the root of the tail, making the horse carry it higher. [Another spelling of nock , old form of notch .]