DAINTY


Meaning of DAINTY in English

I. ˈdān-tē noun

( plural dain·ties )

Etymology: Middle English deinte high esteem, delight, from Anglo-French deinté, from Latin dignitat-, dignitas dignity, worth

Date: 14th century

1.

a. : something delicious to the taste

b. : something choice or pleasing

2. obsolete : fastidiousness

II. adjective

( dain·ti·er ; -est )

Date: 14th century

1.

a. : tasting good : tasty

b. : attractively prepared and served

2. : marked by delicate or diminutive beauty, form, or grace

dainty teacups

3. obsolete : chary , reluctant

4.

a. : marked by fastidious discrimination or finicky taste

b. : showing avoidance of anything rough

Synonyms: see choice

• dain·ti·ly ˈdān-tə-lē adverb

• dain·ti·ness ˈdān-tē-nəs noun

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.