dainty
Use Dainty in a sentence
ti adjective
1.
of delicate beauty; exquisite: a dainty lace handkerchief.
2.
pleasing to the taste and, often, temptingly served or delicate; delicious: dainty pastries.
3.
of delicate discrimination or taste; particular; fastidious: a dainty eater.
4.
overly particular; finicky.
noun
5.
something delicious to the taste; a delicacy.
00:10
Dainty
is always a great word to know.
So is flibbertigibbet. Does it mean:
| a chattering or flighty, light-headed person. |
| a screen or mat covered with a dark material for shielding a camera lens from excess light or glare. |
Origin:
1175–1225; Middle English deinte worthiness, happiness, delicacy < Anglo-French (Old French deint(i)e) < Latin dignitāt- (stem of dignitās); see dignity
1175–1225; Middle English deinte worthiness, happiness, delicacy < Anglo-French (Old French deint(i)e) < Latin dignitāt- (stem of dignitās); see dignity
Related forms
dain·ti·ly, adverb
dain·ti·ness, noun
o·ver·dain·ti·ly, adverb
o·ver·dain·ti·ness, noun
o·ver·dain·ty, adjective
Synonyms
1. fine. See delicate. 2. tender, delectable. 3. See particular. 4. overnice. 5. tidbit, sweetmeat.
1. fine. See delicate. 2. tender, delectable. 3. See particular. 4. overnice. 5. tidbit, sweetmeat.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
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Link To dainty
Collins
World English Dictionary
dainty (ˈdeɪntɪ) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —adj , -tier, -tiest | |
| 1. | delicate or elegant: a dainty teacup |
| 2. | pleasing to the taste; choice; delicious: a dainty morsel |
| 3. | refined, esp excessively genteel; fastidious |
| —n , -tier, -tiest, -ties | |
| 4. | a choice piece of food, esp a small cake or sweet; delicacy |
| [C13: from Old French deintié, from Latin dignitās | |
| 'daintily | |
| —adv | |
| 'daintiness | |
| —n | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
dainty
early 13c., from O.Fr. daintie (n.) "price, value," also "delicacy, pleasure," from L. dignitatem (nom. dignitas) "worthiness, worth, beauty," from dignus "worthy" (see dignity). Adj. use first recorded c.1300. Meaning evolved from "choice, excellent," to "delicately pretty."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Example sentences
Such a dainty item isn't what you'd expect to find in a sailor's pocket.
Nevertheless, the figures have convincing form and their dainty faces are carefully modeled with shadow and light.
They intend no disrespect, but there's no way to be dainty about this task.
Dainty aesthetes and goateed pedants could apply elsewhere.
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