nick

1 a V-shaped cut usually on an edge or a surface <I made a nick in the frame when I accidentally dropped it> Synonyms chip, hack, indent, indentation, indenture, kerf, notchRelated Words joggle, nock, punch, snip; groove, score, undercut; slit, slot

2 British slang  a place of confinement for persons held in lawful custody <the blokes at the pub traded stories of nights spent in the nick after having lifted too many pints> Synonyms bastille, big house [slang], bridewell, brig, calaboose, can, clink [slang], cooler, coop, guardroom, hock, hold, hoosegow, jailhouse, joint [slang], jug, lockup, jail [British slang], pen, penitentiary, pokey [slang], prison, quod [British slang], slam, slammer, stir [slang], stockade, tolbooth [Scottish]Related Words bull pen, cage, cell, hole, tank; block, ward; glasshouse [British], guardhouse, hulk(s); concentration camp, gulag, labor camp, prison camp, stalag, work camp; dungeon, keep, oubliette; reformatory, reform school, training schoolNear Antonyms outside

3 British  a state of being or fitness <the princess is in excellent nick these days> Synonyms estate, fettle, form, health, keeping, kilter, condition [British], order, repair, shape, trimRelated Words practice (also practise); pass, phase, stage; footing, picture, posture, scene, status, situation; rank, standingNear Antonyms disorder, disrepair