GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

Found 2 definitions 

  1.       

    Delicate , a. [L. delicatus pleasing the senses, voluptuous, soft and tender; akin to deliciae delight: cf. F. délicat. See Delight.]
    1. Addicted to pleasure; luxurious; voluptuous; alluring. [R.]
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      Dives, for his delicate life, to the devil went.
      Piers Plowman.

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      Haarlem is a very delicate town.
      Evelyn.

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    2. Pleasing to the senses; refinedly agreeable; hence, adapted to please a nice or cultivated taste; nice; fine; elegant; as, a delicate dish; delicate flavor.
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    3. Slight and shapely; lovely; graceful; as, “a delicate creature.”
      Shak.

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    4. Fine or slender; minute; not coarse; -- said of a thread, or the like; as, delicate cotton.
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    5. Slight or smooth; light and yielding; -- said of texture; as, delicate lace or silk.
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    6. Soft and fair; -- said of the skin or a surface; as, a delicate cheek; a delicate complexion.
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    7. Light, or softly tinted; -- said of a color; as, a delicate blue.
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    8. Refined; gentle; scrupulous not to trespass or offend; considerate; -- said of manners, conduct, or feelings; as, delicate behavior; delicate attentions; delicate thoughtfulness.
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    9. Tender; not able to endure hardship; feeble; frail; effeminate; -- said of constitution, health, etc.; as, a delicate child; delicate health.
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      A delicate and tender prince.
      Shak.

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    10. Requiring careful handling; not to be rudely or hastily dealt with; nice; critical; as, a delicate subject or question.
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      There are some things too delicate and too sacred to be handled rudely without injury to truth.
      F. W. Robertson.

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    11. Of exacting tastes and habits; dainty; fastidious.
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    12. Nicely discriminating or perceptive; refinedly critical; sensitive; exquisite; as, a delicate taste; a delicate ear for music.
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    13. Affected by slight causes; showing slight changes; as, a delicate thermometer.
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  2.       

    Delicate, n.
    1. A choice dainty; a delicacy. [R.]
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      With abstinence all delicates he sees.
      Dryden.

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    2. A delicate, luxurious, or effeminate person.
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      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.

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