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delicacy Definition

deli·cacy (del′i kə sē)

noun pl. delicacies -·cies

  1. the quality of being delicate as in taste, odor, or texture
  2. fragile beauty or graceful slightness, softness, etc.; fineness the delicacy of a petal, of spun glass, or of a child's face
  3. weakness of constitution or health; frailty
  4. the quality or condition of needing careful and deft handling negotiations of great delicacy
  5. fineness of feeling, observation, or appreciation delicacy of musical taste
  6. sensitiveness of response the delicacy of a compass
  7. fineness of touch, skill, etc.
  8. a fine regard for the feelings of others
  9. a sensitive or, sometimes, finicky distaste for what is considered improper or offensive
  10. a choice food caviar and other delicacies
  11. Obsolete luxuriousness

Etymology: ME delicacie < ML delicacia < L delicatus: see delicate

delicacy Synonyms

delicacy

n.

  1. Fineness of texture

    daintiness, airiness, etherealness, transparency, fragility, flimsiness, softness, smoothness, translucency, filminess, tenuity, diaphanousness, subtlety, tenderness, exquisiteness, gracefulness; see also lightness 2.

  2. A choice food

    tidbit, luxury, gourmet dish, treat, dainty, morsel, sweet, savory, rarity, delight, ambrosia, nectar, party dish, sweetmeat, imported food, food out of season, bonne bouche (French), specialty, goody*, food for the gods*; see also food.

  3. Lack of strength, usually to resist disease

    frailty, debility, tenderness; see weakness 1.

delicacy Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • consider: A cod's head was considered a great delicacy.
  • taste: There was a good mix of sightseeing, culture, tasting the local delicacy ( guinea-pig ) as well as time to ourselves.
  • sample: That night they sampled the local delicacy - reindeer - and stayed in a 4-star hotel - the Hotel Santa Claus!
  • enjoy: Haggis is a traditional Scottish delicacy enjoyed by Scots at any time of the day.

Adjective modifier

  • culinary: One of its claims to fame was an ingrediant for a culinary delicacy.
  • utmost: Then, with the utmost delicacy, unroll as much as you can.

Preposition: in

  • part: This botanical pest is considered something of a delicacy in some parts of the world.

Preposition: of

  • feeling: Your enemies will not respect your delicacy of feeling.
  • touch: His paintings show a delicacy of touch, which is apparent even in his highly textured oils.