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dainty

 - 3 dictionary results

dain⋅ty

  [deyn-tee] adjective, -ti⋅er, -ti⋅est, noun, plural -ties.
Use dainty in a Sentence
–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.
Origin:
1175–1225; ME deinte worthiness, happiness, delicacy < AF (OF deint(i)e) < L dignitāt- (s. of dignitās); see dignity

Related forms:
dain⋅ti⋅ly, adverb
dain⋅ti⋅ness, noun

Synonyms:
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. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To dainty
dain·ty   (dān'tē)   
adj.   dain·ti·er, dain·ti·est

  1. Delicately beautiful or charming; exquisite: "No dainty rhymes or sentimental love verses for you, terrible year" (Walt Whitman).

  2. Delicious or choice. See Synonyms at delicate.

  3. Of refined taste; discriminating.

  4. Overly fastidious; squeamish.

n.   pl. dain·ties
Something delicious; a delicacy.

[Middle English deinte, excellent, excellence, from Old French deintie, from Latin dignitās, from dignus, worthy; see dek- in Indo-European roots.]
dain'ti·ly adv., dain'ti·ness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

dainty 
c.1225, 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, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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