Origin: 1400–50; late Middle English < Latin exquīsītus meticulous, chosen with care, orig. past participle of exquīrere to ask about, examine = ex-ex-1 + -quīrere, combining form of quaerere to seek
Synonyms 1. dainty, beautiful, elegant, rare. See delicate.2. perfect, matchless. See fine13. poignant. 4. select, choice, precious. 6. discriminating.
Antonyms 1. gross. 2. ordinary. 3. dull.
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.