dainty
[ deyn-tee ]
/ ˈdeɪn ti /
adjective, dain·ti·er, dain·ti·est.
of delicate beauty; exquisite: a dainty lace handkerchief.
pleasing to the taste and, often, temptingly served or delicate; delicious: dainty pastries.
of delicate discrimination or taste; particular; fastidious: a dainty eater.
overly particular; finicky.
noun, plural dain·ties.
something delicious to the taste; a delicacy.
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Nearby words
daimon, daimonic, daimonistic, daimyo, daimyo bond, dainty, daiquiri, dairen, dairy, dairy breed, dairy cattle
Origin of dainty
1175–1225; Middle English deinte worthiness, happiness, delicacy < Anglo-French (Old French deint(i)e) < Latin dignitāt- (stem of dignitās); see dignity
SYNONYMS FOR dainty
Related forms
Synonym study
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for dainties
British Dictionary definitions for dainties
dainty
/ (ˈdeɪntɪ) /
adjective -tier or -tiest
delicate or eleganta dainty teacup
pleasing to the taste; choice; deliciousa dainty morsel
refined, esp excessively genteel; fastidious
noun plural -ties
a choice piece of food, esp a small cake or sweet; delicacy
Derived Forms
daintily, adverbdaintiness, nounWord Origin for dainty
C13: from Old French deintié, from Latin dignitās dignity
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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