delicacy
fineness of texture, quality, etc.; softness; daintiness: the delicacy of lace.
something delightful or pleasing, especially a choice food considered with regard to its rarity, costliness, or the like: Caviar is a great delicacy.
the quality of being easily broken or damaged; fragility.
the quality of requiring or involving great care or tact: negotiations of great delicacy.
extreme sensitivity; precision of action or operation; minute accuracy: the delicacy of a skillful surgeon's touch; a watch mechanism of unusual delicacy.
fineness of perception or feeling; sensitiveness: the delicacy of the pianist's playing.
fineness of feeling with regard to what is fitting, proper, etc.: Delicacy would not permit her to be rude.
sensitivity with regard to the feelings of others: She criticized him with such delicacy that he was not offended.
bodily weakness; liability to sickness; frailty.
Linguistics. (especially in systemic linguistics) the degree of minuteness pursued at a given stage of analysis in specifying distinctions in linguistic description.
Obsolete. sensuous indulgence; luxury.
Origin of delicacy
1Other words for delicacy
Opposites for delicacy
Other words from delicacy
- hy·per·del·i·ca·cy, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use delicacy in a sentence
La Teresita also has an adjoining cafeteria where you can head for an informal buffet and heaping piles of Cuban delicacies.
And, of course, there are local Andalucian delicacies to be had in and around Setenil de las Bodegas.
The Spanish Fraggle Rock: Setenil de las Bodegas Is an Andalucian Town Built Under a Rock | Nina Strochlic | January 2, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTCaterpillars are considered delicacies southern African countries, where they sell for high prices.
Cicadas, Grasshoppers, Locusts, Ants Among the Tastiest Insects | Nina Strochlic | May 14, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTYou gather for festive meals with friends and family, savoring the best available wines and lovingly prepared delicacies.
The monastery began crafting its own delicacies, later known as pasteis de belem.
I will go down in the morning, and take such delicacies as the woman needs, and see the child at the same time.
The Book of Anecdotes and Budget of Fun; | VariousAll her interest seemed to be centered upon the delicacies placed before her.
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories | Kate ChopinThe dinner was of ordinary quality, except for the few delicacies which she had sent out to purchase.
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories | Kate ChopinIt is the knowledge and practice of such "little delicacies" which constitutes the greatest charm of society.
The Ladies' Book of Etiquette, and Manual of Politeness | Florence HartleySoon all the little tables were filled, and everybody did full justice to the delicacies set before them.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume II (of 3) | Charles James Wills
British Dictionary definitions for delicacy
/ (ˈdɛlɪkəsɪ) /
fine or subtle quality, character, construction, etc: delicacy of craftsmanship
fragile, soft, or graceful beauty
something that is considered choice to eat, such as caviar
fragile construction or constitution; frailty
refinement of feeling, manner, or appreciation: the delicacy of the orchestra's playing
fussy or squeamish refinement, esp in matters of taste, propriety, etc
need for tactful or sensitive handling
accuracy or sensitivity of response or operation, as of an instrument
(in systemic grammar) the level of detail at which a linguistic description is made; the degree of fine distinction in a linguistic description
obsolete gratification, luxury, or voluptuousness
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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