GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English
last match results
Found 2 definitions
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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.]1913 Webster
I ne told no deyntee of her love.
Chaucer.1913 Webster - That which is delicious or delicate; a delicacy.1913 Webster
That precious nectar may the taste renew
Of Eden's dainties, by our parents lost.Beau. & Fl.1913 Webster - 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.
1913 WebsterThese delicacies
I mean of taste, sight, smell, herbs, fruits, and flowers,
Walks and the melody of birds.Milton.1913 Webster[A table] furnished plenteously with bread,
And dainties, remnants of the last regale.Cowper.1913 Webster
- Value; estimation; the gratification or pleasure taken in anything. [Obs.]
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Dainty, a. [Compar. Daintier ; superl. Daintiest.]
- Rare; valuable; costly. [Obs.]1913 Webster
Full many a deynté horse had he in stable.
Chaucer.1913 Webster☞ Hence the proverb “dainty maketh dearth,” i. e., rarity makes a thing dear or precious.
1913 Webster - Delicious to the palate; toothsome.1913 Webster
Dainty bits
Make rich the ribs.Shak.1913 Webster - Nice; delicate; elegant, in form, manner, or breeding; well-formed; neat; tender.1913 Webster
Those dainty limbs which nature lent
For gentle usage and soft delicacy.Milton.1913 WebsterI would be the girdle.
About her dainty, dainty waist.Tennyson.1913 Webster - Requiring dainties. Hence: Overnice; hard to please; fastidious; squeamish; scrupulous; ceremonious.1913 Webster
Thew were a fine and dainty people.
Bacon.1913 WebsterAnd let us not be dainty of leave-taking,
But shift away.Shak.1913 WebsterTo make dainty, to assume or affect delicacy or fastidiousness. [Obs.]
1913 WebsterAh ha, my mistresses! which of you all
Will now deny to dance? She that makes dainty,
She, I'll swear, hath corns.Shak.1913 Webster
- Rare; valuable; costly. [Obs.]