del|i|cate

del|i|cate «DEHL uh kiht», adjective, noun.

–adj.

1. pleasing to the senses; light, mild, or soft: »

delicate foods, delicate colors. Roses have a delicate fragrance. A baby's skin is delicate.

SYNONYM(S): tender, subdued.

2. of fine weave, quality, or make; thin, easily torn: »

A spider's web is delicate.

3. requiring care, skill, or tact: »

a delicate situation, a delicate question.

SYNONYM(S): ticklish.

4. easily damaged; fragile: »

delicate china, delicate flowers.

5. very quickly responding to slight changes of condition; finely sensitive: »

delicate instruments, a delicate sense of touch.

6. easily hurt or made ill: »

a weak and delicate child.

SYNONYM(S): frail, weakly.

7. Figurative. hard to appreciate; subtle: »

a delicate point in reasoning.

8. Figurative. careful of the feelings of others; considerate. SYNONYM(S): tactful.

9. avoiding anything that is offensive or immodest; fastidious.

10. Obsolete. self-indulgent; loving ease or luxury.

–n.

1. Archaic. a delicacy: »

These delicates he heap'd with glowing hand (Keats).

2. Obsolete. a luxury.

3. Obsolete. a person who loves luxury.

╂[< Latin dēlicātus soft, tender, pampered]

–del´i|cate|ly, adverb.

–del´i|cate|ness, noun.

Synonym Study adjective. 1 Delicate, dainty, exquisite mean pleasing to the senses. Delicate suggests fineness or softness of texture, lightness in quality, or exactness and fineness in the making which especially please any of the five senses or the mind: »

Roses have a delicate fragrance. He does delicate work with water colors.

Dainty suggests smallness, perfection in the making, and fragile beauty which especially please the sense of sight or taste: »

The baby wore a dainty dress.

Exquisite suggests such great perfection of quality and workmanship as would satisfy the most refined taste: »

an exquisite jewel.