delicate

delicate
I
(Roget's IV) modif.
1. [Dainty]
Syn. fragile, frail, fine; see dainty 1 .
See Synonym Study at dainty .
2. [Sickly]
Syn. susceptible, in delicate health, feeble; see sick , weak 1 .
3. [Needing careful handling]
Syn. touchy, ticklish, sensitive, precarious; see dangerous 1 , unstable 2 .
4. [Having fine sensibilities]
Syn. gentle, tactful, sensitive, fastidious; see careful , refined 2 , tactful .
II
(Roget's 3 Superthesaurus) a.
1. frail fragile, fine, tender, light, dainty, airy, exquisite, diaphanous, slight.
2. sensitive considerate, tactful, graceful, subtle, diplomatic, discreet, careful.
3. difficult *sticky, *ticklish, precarious, critical, sensitive, tenuous.
ANT.: 1. tough, durable, sturdy. 2. insensitive, inconsiderate, rude
III
(Roget's Thesaurus II) adjective 1. Appealing to refined taste: choice, dainty, elegant, exquisite, fine1. See GOOD, INGESTION. 2. Not physically strong: decrepit, feeble, flimsy, fragile, frail, infirm, insubstantial, puny, unsound, unsubstantial, weak, weakly. See STRONG. 3. Easily broken or damaged: breakable, brittle, fragile, frangible. See STRONG. 4. Showing sensitivity and skill in dealing with others: diplomatic, discreet, politic, sensitive, tactful. See ABILITY. 5. Requiring great tact or skill: sensitive, ticklish, touch-and-go, touchy, tricky. See EASY. 6. Free from severity or violence, as in movement: balmy1, faint, gentle, mild, smooth, soft. See CALM, STRONG. 7. Able to make or detect effects of great subtlety or precision: fine1, nice, subtle. See PRECISE. 8. So slight as to be difficult to notice or appreciate: fine1, finespun, nice, refined, subtle. See BIG.

English dictionary for students. 2013.

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  • Delicate — Del i*cate, a. [L. delicatus pleasing the senses, voluptuous, soft and tender; akin to deliciae delight: cf. F. d[ e]licat. See {Delight}.] 1. Addicted to pleasure; luxurious; voluptuous; alluring. [R.] [1913 Webster] Dives, for his delicate life …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • delicate — [del′i kit] adj. [ME delicat < L delicatus, giving pleasure, delightful < * delicare, for OL delicere, to allure, entice < de , intens. + lacere: see DELIGHT] 1. pleasing in its lightness, mildness, subtlety, etc. [a delicate flavor,… …   English World dictionary

  • delicate — [adj1] dainty, weak aerial, balmy, breakable, choice, delectable, delicious, delightful, elegant, ethereal, exquisite, faint, filmy, fine, fine grained, finespun, flimsy, fracturable, fragile, frail, frangible, gauzy, gentle, gossamery, graceful …   New thesaurus

  • Delicate — may refer to: Delicate (song), a 1993 single by Terence Trent D Arby featuring Des ree Delicate (album), an album by Martha The Muffins Delicate , a single by Damien Rice from the album O This disambiguation page lists articles associated with… …   Wikipedia

  • delicate — ► ADJECTIVE 1) very fine in texture or structure. 2) easily broken or damaged; fragile. 3) susceptible to illness or adverse conditions. 4) requiring sensitive or careful handling. 5) skilful; deft. 6) (of food or drink) subtly and pleasantly… …   English terms dictionary

  • Delicate — Del i*cate, n. 1. A choice dainty; a delicacy. [R.] [1913 Webster] With abstinence all delicates he sees. Dryden. [1913 Webster] 2. A delicate, luxurious, or effeminate person. [1913 Webster] All the vessels, then, which our delicates have, those …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • délicaté — délicaté, ée (dé li ka té, tée) part. passé. Un enfant trop délicaté …   Dictionnaire de la Langue Française d'Émile Littré

  • Delicāte — (Delicatemente, ital.), mit Zartheit vorzutragen …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

  • delicate — index destructible, impalpable, intricate, nonsubstantial (not sturdy), palatable, precarious, subtle (refined) …   Law dictionary

  • delicate — (adj.) late 14c., self indulgent, loving ease; delightful; sensitive, easily hurt; feeble, from L. delicatus alluring, delightful, dainty, also addicted to pleasure, luxurious, effeminate; of uncertain origin; related by folk etymology (and… …   Etymology dictionary

  • delicate — exquisite, dainty, rare, *choice, recherché, elegant Analogous words: delectable, *delightful, delicious: *soft, gentle, mild, lenient, balmy: ethereal, *airy, aerial Antonyms: gross Contrasted words: *coarse …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

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