[del.i.cate] adj [ME delicat, fr. L delicatus delicate, addicted to pleasure; akin to L delicere to allure] (14c) 1: pleasing to the senses: a: generally pleasant "the climate's ~, the air most sweet --Shak." b: pleasing to the sense of taste or smell esp. in a mild or subtle way "a ~ aroma" "a robust wine will dominate ~ dishes" c: marked by daintiness or charm of color, lines, or proportions "a ~ floral print" "an ample tear trilled down her ~ cheek --Shak." d: marked by fineness of structure, workmanship, or texture "a ~ tracery" "a ~ lace"
2. a: marked by keen sensitivity or fine discrimination "~ insights" "a more ~ syntactic analysis --R. H. Robins" b: fastidious, squeamish "a person of ~ tastes" 3 a: not robust in health or constitution: weak, sickly "had been considered a ~ child" b: easily torn or damaged: fragile "the ~ chain of life"
4. a: requiring careful handling: (1): easily unsettled or upset "a ~ balance" "the ~ relationships defined by the Constitution --New Yorker" (2): requiring skill or tact "in a ~ position" "~ negotiations" "a ~ operation" (3): involving matters of a deeply personal nature: sensitive "this is a ~ matter. Could I possibly speak to you alone --Daphne Du Maurier" b: marked by care, skill, or tact "~ handling of a difficult situation"
5: marked by great precision or sensitivity "a ~ instrument" syn see choice -- del.i.cate.ly adv
[2]delicate n (15c): something delicate