dainty

[deyn-tee]

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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.

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

Related formsdain·ti·ly, adverbdain·ti·ness, nouno·ver·dain·ti·ly, adverbo·ver·dain·ti·ness, nouno·ver·dain·ty, adjectivesu·per·dain·ty, adjectiveun·dain·ti·ly, adverbun·dain·ti·ness, nounun·dain·ty, adjective

Synonyms for dainty

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR dainty ON THESAURUS.COM

1. fine. 2. tender, delectable. 4. overnice. 5. tidbit, sweetmeat.

Synonym study

1. See delicate. 3. See particular.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for dainties

cake, doughnut, bread, croissant, pie, phyllo, feast, tidbit, thrill, gift, goody, delicacy, refreshment, delight, sweet, fun, pleasure, pastry, candy, dessert

Examples from the Web for dainties

Historical Examples of dainties

Otto and Pussy also paid several visits, armed with dainties for their favorite.
Rico and Wiseli
Johanna Spyri
Lantier had thought of himself when he advised Virginie to deal in dainties.
L'Assommoir
Emile Zola
Your aunt must have dainties to tempt her appetite and so keep up her strength.
The Eternal City
Hall Caine
If you do not care to share your dainties, you can hang them from the roof.
Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 150, February 2, 1916
Various
John unwrapped the dainties and threw the paper on the floor.
A Son of the City
Herman Gastrell Seely

British Dictionary definitions for dainties

dainty

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 Formsdaintily, adverbdaintiness, noun

Word Origin for dainty

C13: from Old French deintié, from Latin dignitās dignity

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

Word Origin and History for dainties

dainty

adj.

c.1300, "delightful, pleasing," from dainty (n.). Meaning evolved in Middle English to "choice, excellent" (late 14c.) to "delicately pretty." Related: Daintiness.

dainty

c.1300, "excellence, elegance; a luxury," from Old French deintie (12c.) "price, value," also "delicacy, pleasure," from Latin dignitatem (nominative dignitas) "greatness, rank, worthiness, worth, beauty," from dignus "worthy" (see dignity).