Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Related Searches
Synonyms
Nearby Words

delicacy

 - 2 dictionary results

del⋅i⋅ca⋅cy

  [del-i-kuh-see]
Use delicacy in a Sentence
–noun, plural -cies.
1. fineness of texture, quality, etc.; softness; daintiness: the delicacy of lace.
2. something delightful or pleasing, esp. a choice food considered with regard to its rarity, costliness, or the like: Caviar is a great delicacy.
3. the quality of being easily broken or damaged; fragility.
4. the quality of requiring or involving great care or tact: negotiations of great delicacy.
5. extreme sensitivity; precision of action or operation; minute accuracy: the delicacy of a skillful surgeon's touch; a watch mechanism of unusual delicacy.
6. fineness of perception or feeling; sensitiveness: the delicacy of the pianist's playing.
7. fineness of feeling with regard to what is fitting, proper, etc.: Delicacy would not permit her to be rude.
8. sensitivity with regard to the feelings of others: She criticized him with such delicacy that he was not offended.
9. bodily weakness; liability to sickness; frailty.
10. Linguistics. (esp. in systemic linguistics) the degree of minuteness pursued at a given stage of analysis in specifying distinctions in linguistic description.
11. Obsolete. sensuous indulgence; luxury.
Origin:
1325–75; ME delicasie. See delicate, -cy

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

Antonyms:
1, 6. coarseness.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To delicacy
del·i·ca·cy   (děl'ĭ-kə-sē)   
n.   pl. del·i·ca·cies

  1. The quality of being delicate.

  2. Something pleasing and appealing, especially a choice food.

  3. Fineness of appearance, construction, or execution; elegance: brushwork of great delicacy.

  4. Frailty of bodily constitution or health.

  5. Sensitivity of perception, discrimination, or taste; refinement.

    1. Sensitivity to the feelings of others; tact: phrased the apology with delicacy.

    2. Sensitivity to what is proper; propriety.

    3. Undue sensitivity to or concern with what may be considered offensive or improper; squeamishness: scenes that might offend a viewer's delicacy.

  7. The need for tact in treatment or handling: a topic of some delicacy.

  8. Sensitivity to very small changes; precision: the delicacy of a set of scales.


[Middle English delicacie, from delicat, delicate; see delicate.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Search another word or see delicacy on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way