/ ˈdelɪkəsi; NAmE / noun ( pl. -ies )
1.
[ U ] the quality of being, or appearing to be, easy to damage or break :
the delicacy of the fabric
2.
[ U ] the quality of being done carefully and gently :
the delicacy of his touch
3.
[ U ] very careful behaviour in a difficult situation so that nobody is offended
SYN tact :
She handled the situation with great sensitivity and delicacy.
4.
[ U ] the fact that a situation is difficult and sb may be easily offended :
I need to talk to you about a matter of some delicacy.
5.
[ C ] a type of food considered to be very special in a particular place
SYN speciality :
local delicacies
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English (in the senses voluptuousness and luxuriousness ): from delicate + -acy .