delicacy

[ del-i-kuh-see ]

/ ˈdɛl ɪ kə si /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR delicacy ON THESAURUS.COM

noun, plural del·i·ca·cies.

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.

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of delicacy

First recorded in 1325–75, delicacy is from the Middle English word delicasie. See delicate, -cy

SYNONYMS FOR delicacy

5. sensitivity, discrimination; prudence, consideration, circumspection.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR delicacy ON THESAURUS.COM

ANTONYMS FOR delicacy

1, 6. coarseness.

SEE MORE ANTONYMS FOR delicacy ON THESAURUS.COM

Related formshy·per·del·i·ca·cy, noun

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

Examples from the Web for delicacy

At the time, the island had not yet been named after the delicacy, and went by the decidedly less fantastical Twickenham Ait.
The Isle Where the Rolling Stones Began|Nina Strochlic|September 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
C, lastly, I just think [Perritaz] has a natural taste for purity, delicacy, and ethereal balance.
Wine, Watch Out! These Ciders Are Just as Good|Jordan Salcito|July 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In their scenes, there is delicacy, there is love, and there is hope.
‘Downton Abbey’ Season 3: Julian Fellowes, Hugh Bonneville, Michelle Dockery, and More|Jace Lacob|January 4, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Whether they are official or not, Chick-fil-A restaurants are designed to represent the Southern delicacy.
My Chick-Fil-A Miracle: Dining at Fried-Chicken Chain’s Original Restaurant|Andy Jacobsohn|July 12, 2012|DAILY BEAST

Fetching French actress Audrey Tautou is back in the romantic drama “Delicacy.”
Audrey Tautou on ‘Amélie,’ Her New Film ‘Delicacy,’ & More|Marlow Stern|March 18, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Deslauriers was convinced that Frederick had not told him the entire truth, no doubt through a feeling of delicacy.
Sentimental Education, Volume II|Gustave Flaubert
The elevation and delicacy, the sense and seriousness, the beauty and perfection of the whole are astonishing.
Amiel's Journal|Henri-Frdric Amiel
A furnace-feeder would need to be delicately adjusted, and coal cannot be handled with delicacy.
The Idiot at Home|John Kendrick Bangs
You know it does not become a person of any delicacy to utter praise in his own behalf.'
Harper's New Monthly Magazine Vol. IV, No. 19, Dec 1851|Various
My brother's affections were now unalterably fixed upon Louisa, but a sentiment of delicacy and generosity still kept him silent.
A Sicilian Romance|Ann Radcliffe

British Dictionary definitions for delicacy

delicacy

/ (ˈdɛlɪkəsɪ) /

noun plural -cies

fine or subtle quality, character, construction, etcdelicacy 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 appreciationthe 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

Word Origin and History for delicacy

delicacy

late 14c., "delightfulness; fastidiousness; quality of being addicted to sensuous pleasure," from delicate + -cy. Meaning "fineness, softness, tender loveliness" is from 1580s; that of "weakness of constitution" is from 1630s. Meaning "fine food, a dainty viand" is from early 15c.