Origin: 1400–50;late Middle English < Latinexquīsītus meticulous, chosen with care, orig. past participle of exquīrere to ask about, examine = ex-ex-1 + -quīrere, combining form of quaerere to seek
Pronunciation note The pronunciation of exquisite has undergone a rapid change from /ˈɛkskwɪzɪt/Show Spelled[ek-skwi-zit]Show IPA to /ɪkˈskwɪzɪt/[ik-skwiz-it] with stress shifting to the second syllable. The newer pronunciation is still criticized by some, but is now more common in both the U.S. and England, and many younger educated speakers are not even aware of the older one. See harass.
early 15c., "carefully selected," from L. exquisitus "carefully sought out," thus, "choice," from pp. of exquirere "search out," from ex- "out" + quærere "to seek" (see query). A vogue word 15c.-18c., given wide extensions of meaning, none of which survive. The main
modern sense of "of consummate and delightful excellence" is first attested 1579, in Lyly's "Euphues." Related: Exquisitely.