delicate

delicate [del′i kit]

adj.

[ME delicat < L delicatus, giving pleasure, delightful < * delicare, for OL delicere, to allure, entice < de-, intens. + lacere: see DELIGHT]

1. pleasing in its lightness, mildness, subtlety, etc. [a delicate flavor, odor, or color]

2. beautifully fine in texture, quality, or workmanship [delicate linen, delicate skin]

3. slight and subtle [a delicate difference]

4. easily damaged, spoiled, or disordered [a delicate vase, a delicate stomach]

5. frail in health [a delicate child]

6.

a) needing careful handling, tact, etc. [a delicate situation]

b) showing tact, consideration, etc.

7. finely sensitive in feeling, understanding, discriminating, or responding [a delicate ear for music, a delicate gauge]

8. finely skilled

9. having or showing a sensitive or, sometimes, finicky distaste for what is considered offensive or improper

n.

Archaic a delicacy; dainty

delicately

adv.

delicateness

n.

SYN.- DELICATE and DAINTY are both used to describe things that are pleasing to highly refined tastes or sensibilities, DELICATE implying fragility, subtlety, or fineness, and DAINTY, smallness, fastidiousness, or gracefulness; EXQUISITE is applied to something so delicately wrought or subtly refined as to be appreciated by only the most keenly discriminating or fastidious

-ANT. GROSS, CRUDE, COARSE