Nearby Words
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.
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Dainty
is always a great word to know.
So is interrobang. Does it mean:
| a printed punctuation mark (‽), available only in some typefaces, designed to combine the question mark (?) and the exclamation point (!), indicating a mixture of query and interjection, as after a rhetorical question. |
| a chattering or flighty, light-headed person. |
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
EXPANDsu·per·dain·ty, adjective
un·dain·ti·ly, adverb
un·dain·ti·ness, noun
un·dain·ty, adjective
COLLAPSESynonyms
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. 2012.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Link To dainty
Example Sentences
- Time to ditch those dainty-teacup stereotypes.
- For centuries, she says, children wore dainty white dresses up to age 6.
- She was also wearing a wispy gown, a dainty pearl necklace and petite Victorian-style earrings.
Collins
World English Dictionary
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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