del·i·ca·cy (d l -k -s )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. 6. a. Sensitivity to the feelings of others; tact: phrased the apology with delicacy. b. Sensitivity to what is proper; propriety. c. 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.] |
delicacy Noun pl -cies 1. fine or subtle quality, construction, etc.: delicacy of craftsmanship 2. fragile or graceful beauty 3. something that is considered particularly nice to eat 4. frail health 5. refinement of feeling, manner, or appreciation: the delicacy of the orchestra's playing 6. requiring careful or tactful treatment
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms | Noun | 1. | delicacy - the quality of being beautiful and delicate in appearance; "the daintiness of her touch"; "the fineness of her features"elegance - a refined quality of gracefulness and good taste; "she conveys an aura of elegance and gentility" | | 2. | delicacy - something considered choice to eatsavoury, savory - an aromatic or spicy dish served at the end of dinner or as an hors d'oeuvre nectar, ambrosia - (classical mythology) the food and drink of the gods; mortals who ate it became immortal jelly, gelatin - an edible jelly (sweet or pungent) made with gelatin and used as a dessert or salad base or a coating for foods | | 3. | delicacy - refined taste; tactappreciation, discernment, perceptiveness, taste - delicate discrimination (especially of aesthetic values); "arrogance and lack of taste contributed to his rapid success"; "to ask at that particular time was the ultimate in bad taste" | | 4. | delicacy - smallness of stature | | 5. | delicacy - lack of physical strengthweakness - the property of lacking physical or mental strength; liability to failure under pressure or stress or strain; "his weakness increased as he became older"; "the weakness of the span was overlooked until it collapsed" | | 6. | delicacy - subtly skillful handling of a situationtact, tactfulness - consideration in dealing with others and avoiding giving offense | | 7. | delicacy - lightness in movement or manner |
delicacy noun 4. sensitivity, understanding, consideration, judgment, perception, diplomacy, discretion, skill, finesse, tact, thoughtfulness, savoir-faire, adroitness, sensitiveness 6. lightness, accuracy, precision, elegance, sensibility, purity, subtlety, refinement, finesse, nicety, fineness, exquisiteness
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