| one of the nicest problems for a man to solve | одна из труднейших задач, которые приходилось решать человеку (Comment by Liv Bliss: note that today "nice" is generally taken to mean "pleasant," not difficult or demanding: Not obvious or readily apprehended; difficult to decide or settle; demanding close consideration or thought; †intricate. – 1513 Douglas Æneis iii. Prol. 14 Nyce laborynth, quhar Mynotaur the bull Was kepit. 1581 G. Pettie tr. Guazzo's Civ. Conv. i. (1586) 19 The finer wit a man is of, the more he beateth it‥about nice and intricate pointes. 1649 Jer. Taylor Gt. Exemp. iii. Sect. xiv. 51 The way to destruction is broad and plausible, the way to heaven nice and austere. 1689 Popple tr. Locke's 1st Let. Toleration L.'s Wks. 1727 II. 233 Opinions‥about nice and intricate Matters that exceed the Capacity of ordinary Understandings. 1759 Robertson Hist. Scot. I. 175 It was the work but of one day to examine and to resolve this nice problem. 1789 Belsham Ess. I. vii. 134 It becomes a very nice and curious question indeed. 1847–9 Helps Friends in C. (1851) I. 21 One of the nicest problems for a man to solve. 1885 Manch. Exam. 3 June 5/1 Whether the agreement was actually violated is a question involving several nice points.  oed.com) |
