Sekirov Dictionary

delicate

UK /ˈdɛl.ɪ.kət/US /ˈdɛl.ɪ.kɪt/

adjective 13
noun 4
forms 5

adjective13

•
easy to break or harm, and needing great care when touched or moved
- Those clothes are made from delicate lace.
- The negotiations were very delicate.
•
Characterized by a fine structure or thin lines.
- Her face was delicate.
- The spider wove a delicate web.
•
Slight and shapely; lovely; graceful.
- Cas[sio]. She is a most exquisite Lady. […] Indeede she is a most fresh and delicate creature. — 1603
•
Pleasing to the senses; refined; adapted to please an elegant or cultivated taste.
- The Flesh of man, because its Nourished by purer Blood, is delicater than the flesh of other Creatures, and prefered before it by Canibals, or Man-Eaters. — 1665
Light, or softly tinted; said of a colour.
Of weak health; easily sick; unable to endure hardship.
•
Intended for use with fragile items.
- Set the washing machine to the delicate cycle.
Refined; gentle; scrupulous not to trespass or offend; considerate; said of manners, conduct, or feelings.
Highly discriminating or perceptive; refinedly critical; sensitive; exquisite.
Affected by slight causes; showing slight changes.
•
(informal) Unwell, especially because of having drunk too much alcohol.
- Please don't speak so loudly: I'm feeling a bit delicate this morning.
Of exacting tastes and habits; dainty; fastidious.
•
(no longer used) Addicted to pleasure; luxurious; voluptuous; alluring.
- This [Haarlem] is a very delicate towne, and hath one of the fairest Churches, of the Gotiq design, I had seene. — 1641

noun4

•
A delicate item of clothing, especially underwear or lingerie.
- Don't put that in with your jeans: it's a delicate!
A moth of the species Mythimna vitellina.
•
(no longer used) A choice dainty; a delicacy.
- With Abstinence all Delicates he Sees, / And can regale himself with Toast and Cheese. — 1712
•
(no longer used) A delicate, luxurious, or effeminate person.
- A council of war was called, and the delicates met in the great cabin ; the platform was rigged up on the forecastle, the yard-rope rove, and the signal made for all boats to attend execution — 1830

forms

delicates · delicater · more delicate · delicatest · most delicate

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