I. -kə̇t, usu -ə̇d.+V adjective
( sometimes -er/-est )
Etymology: Middle English delicat, from Latin delicatus pleasing to the senses, voluptuous, pampered, dainty; akin to Latin delicere to allure — more at delight
1. : gratifying to the senses : sensuously pleasing:
a. : generally agreeable or pleasant : delightful
the most delicate air — Grecian air, pellucid — Richard Jefferies
a delicate garden
b. : pleasing to the sense of taste or smell especially without being heady, obtrusive, or intense
a tea with a peculiarly delicate aroma
a delicate blend of spices
: subtly savory
delicate cookery
delicate dishes to tempt an invalid
c. : delightful to see especially because of fine dainty charming color, lines, or proportions
her face … was as delicate as porcelain — Ellen Glasgow
2. obsolete : characterized by or addicted to self-indulgence or ease : luxury-loving : voluptuous ; also : slothful
3.
a. : marked by or given to keen sensitivity of impression and analysis, fine discrimination, subtle distinction, nice appreciation ; also : calling for observation and judgment with these qualities
this delicate moralist, so sensitive to historical pathos — Cecil Sprigge
a task so delicate exacts the scholar and philosopher — B.N.Cardozo
b. : marked by or given to fastidiousness especially by exacting or squeamish tastes or prim interests and pursuits : likely to be repelled by the crude or gross ; also : calling for fastidious treatment
not a book for the delicate reader, but … not pornographic — Charles Lee
c. : strongly marked by or given to scruples, strict ethics, propriety, honor, punctilio, or finer feelings
4.
a. : capable of or marked by precise or minute perception, detection, measure, discernment, or judgment
b. of an instrument or device : exhibiting great delicacy or extreme sensitivity : capable of reacting to or registering (as by deflection of a balance) a minute effect, force, or quantity
an impulse so small as to be almost undetectable with even the … most delicate instruments — A.C.Morrison
c. : calling for or involving meticulously careful measurement, treatment, or calculation
a delicate process
delicate tests for contamination
: liable to being easily unsettled or mishandled; sometimes : precariously or very unevenly balanced
the delicate interdependence of our credit-built finance and industry — Norman Angell
5.
a. : marked by precise skillful meticulous technique or operation or by execution with adroit finesse in meeting uncommon difficulties or dangers ; also : requiring such technique, operation, or execution
a marvelously precise chart … the calculations were delicate , minute, exquisitely clear — Sinclair Lewis
b. : marked by very fine structure, texture, finish, organization, or integration produced by or as if by immaculate or meticulous craftsmanship
delicate feminine handwriting — George Meredith
a delicate celestial chain of sapphires — Elinor Wylie
delicate lace
c. : frail, fragile, or readily torn, bruised, damaged, or hurt
a delicate butterfly wing
often : lacking in physical strength and stamina : tending to suffer fatigue or illness from slight causes : weak , sickly
d. : marked by fine subtlety : having qualities perceived and appreciated only by the cultivated : not crude or obvious
an irony so quiet, so delicate , that many readers never notice it — J.B.Priestley
e. : marked by or given to elaborate tact, cautious judgment, and prudent discreetness to avoid offense, conflict, or difficulty
delicate semidiplomatic relationships with belligerent and neutral powers — W.B.Hesseltine
he went off, delicate as always, so we could talk about it — Ernest Hemingway
also : requiring such characteristics : sensitive , uncertain , precarious
a delicate position, one requiring great tact — J.T.Farrell
one's spiritual concerns are rather delicate for a stranger to meddle with — Herman Melville
Synonyms: see choice
II. noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English delicat, from Latin delicatus voluptuary, from delicatus, adjective
: one that is delicate: as
a. obsolete : a luxurious or fastidious person
b. obsolete : a delight especially of the senses : luxury
c. archaic : a table delicacy