GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

last match results

Found 2 definitions

1.       
   Dainty , n.; pl. Dainties . [OE. deinie, dainte, deintie, deyntee, OF. deintié delicacy, orig., dignity, honor, fr. L. dignitas, fr. dignus worthy. See Deign, and cf. Dignity.]
   Value; estimation; the gratification or pleasure taken in anything. [Obs.]
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   I ne told no deyntee of her love.
   Chaucer.
   
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   That which is delicious or delicate; a delicacy.
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   That precious nectar may the taste renew
   Of Eden's dainties, by our parents lost.
   Beau. & Fl.
   
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   A term of fondness. [Poetic]
   B. Jonson.
   Syn. -- Dainty, Delicacy.  These words are here compared as denoting articles of food. The term delicacy as applied to a nice article of any kind, and hence to articles of food which are particularly attractive. Dainty is stronger, and denotes some exquisite article of cookery. A hotel may be provided with all the delicacies of the season, and its table richly covered with dainties.
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   These delicacies
   I mean of taste, sight, smell, herbs, fruits, and flowers,
   Walks and the melody of birds.
   Milton.
   
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   [A table] furnished plenteously with bread,
   And dainties, remnants of the last regale.
   Cowper.
   
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2.       
   Dainty, a. [Compar. Daintier ; superl. Daintiest.]
   Rare; valuable; costly. [Obs.]
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   Full many a deynté horse had he in stable.
   Chaucer.
   
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   ☞ Hence the proverb “dainty maketh dearth,” i. e., rarity makes a thing dear or precious.
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   Delicious to the palate; toothsome.
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   Dainty bits
   Make rich the ribs.
   Shak.
   
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   Nice; delicate; elegant, in form, manner, or breeding; well-formed; neat; tender.
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   Those dainty limbs which nature lent
   For gentle usage and soft delicacy.
   Milton.
   
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   I would be the girdle.
   About her dainty, dainty waist.
   Tennyson.
   
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   Requiring dainties. Hence: Overnice; hard to please; fastidious; squeamish; scrupulous; ceremonious.
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   Thew were a fine and dainty people.
   Bacon.
   
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   And let us not be dainty of leave-taking,
   But shift away.
   Shak.
   
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   To make dainty, to assume or affect delicacy or fastidiousness. [Obs.]
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   Ah ha, my mistresses! which of you all
   Will now deny to dance? She that makes dainty,
   She, I'll swear, hath corns.
   Shak.
   
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