An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/niedlich

by Friedrich Kluge

niedlich, adj., ‘pleasant, pretty, nice,’ from MidHG. *nietich, of which only the adv. nietlîche, ‘zealously, diligently,’ is recorded; late OHG. nietsam, ‘desiderabilis, desirable, pleasant’; comp. OSax. niudsam, ‘pleasant.’ The cognates are connected with OHG. niot, m., ‘lively longing, zealous endeavour,’ OSax. niud, AS. neód, ‘zeal, longing.’