GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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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.]
    1. 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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    2. 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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    3. 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.]
    1. 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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    2. Delicious to the palate; toothsome.
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      Dainty bits
      Make rich the ribs.
      Shak.

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    3. 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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    4. 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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