GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English
last match results
Found 2 definitions
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Delicate , a. [L. delicatus pleasing the senses, voluptuous, soft and tender; akin to deliciae delight: cf. F. délicat. See Delight.]
- Addicted to pleasure; luxurious; voluptuous; alluring. [R.]1913 Webster
Dives, for his delicate life, to the devil went.
Piers Plowman.1913 WebsterHaarlem is a very delicate town.
Evelyn.1913 Webster - Pleasing to the senses; refinedly agreeable; hence, adapted to please a nice or cultivated taste; nice; fine; elegant; as, a delicate dish; delicate flavor.1913 Webster
- Slight and shapely; lovely; graceful; as, “a delicate creature.”Shak.1913 Webster
- Fine or slender; minute; not coarse; -- said of a thread, or the like; as, delicate cotton.1913 Webster
- Slight or smooth; light and yielding; -- said of texture; as, delicate lace or silk.1913 Webster
- Soft and fair; -- said of the skin or a surface; as, a delicate cheek; a delicate complexion.1913 Webster
- Light, or softly tinted; -- said of a color; as, a delicate blue.1913 Webster
- Refined; gentle; scrupulous not to trespass or offend; considerate; -- said of manners, conduct, or feelings; as, delicate behavior; delicate attentions; delicate thoughtfulness.1913 Webster
- Tender; not able to endure hardship; feeble; frail; effeminate; -- said of constitution, health, etc.; as, a delicate child; delicate health.1913 Webster
A delicate and tender prince.
Shak.1913 Webster - Requiring careful handling; not to be rudely or hastily dealt with; nice; critical; as, a delicate subject or question.1913 Webster
There are some things too delicate and too sacred to be handled rudely without injury to truth.
F. W. Robertson.1913 Webster - Of exacting tastes and habits; dainty; fastidious.1913 Webster
- Nicely discriminating or perceptive; refinedly critical; sensitive; exquisite; as, a delicate taste; a delicate ear for music.1913 Webster
- Affected by slight causes; showing slight changes; as, a delicate thermometer.1913 Webster
- Addicted to pleasure; luxurious; voluptuous; alluring. [R.]
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Delicate, n.
- A choice dainty; a delicacy. [R.]1913 Webster
With abstinence all delicates he sees.
Dryden.1913 Webster - A delicate, luxurious, or effeminate person.1913 Webster
All the vessels, then, which our delicates have, -- those I mean that would seem to be more fine in their houses than their neighbors, -- are only of the Corinth metal.
Holland.1913 Webster
- A choice dainty; a delicacy. [R.]