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indelicacy

[ in-del-i-kuh-see ]

/ ɪnˈdɛl ɪ kə si /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR indelicacy ON THESAURUS.COM

noun, plural in·del·i·ca·cies for 2.

the quality or condition of being indelicate.

something indelicate, as language or behavior.

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DON’T VACILLATE! VANQUISH THIS WORD OF THE DAY QUIZ!

It’d be a real faux pas to miss this quiz on the words from August 3–9, 2020!

Question 1 of 7

What does “vacillate” mean?

to waver in mind or opinion; be indecisive or irresolute.

to cause to be empty or unoccupied.

to assent tacitly; agree; consent.

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Origin of indelicacy

First recorded in 1705–15; in-³ + delicacy

Words nearby indelicacy

indefinite relative pronoun, indehiscence, indehiscent, indeliberate, indelible, indelicacy, indelicate, in demand, indemnification, indemnify, indemnitee

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for indelicacy

This most mistaken opinion gives an indelicacy, a 'brusquerie', and a roughness to the manners.
The PG Edition of Chesterfield's Letters to His Son|The Earl of Chesterfield
I could not commit the gross indelicacy of saying: "My poor friend, where do you come in?"
Jaffery|William J. Locke
In that case the under garments are never taken off, and no consciousness of impropriety or indelicacy of feeling is manifested.
A New Guide for Emigrants to the West|J. M. Peck
Such an interchange of the terms would imply arrogance or indelicacy.
Summary Narrative of an Exploratory Expedition to the Sources of the Mississippi River, in 1820|Henry Rowe Schoolcraft

The habit of rinsing the mouth at table is a disgusting piece of indelicacy, which is never practiced by any well-bred person.
Martine's Hand-book of Etiquette, and Guide to True Politeness|Arthur Martine

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