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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Delicate \Del"i*cate\, n.
1. A choice dainty; a delicacy. [R.]
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With abstinence all delicates he sees. --Dryden.
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2. A delicate, luxurious, or effeminate person.
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All the vessels, then, which our delicates have, --
those I mean that would seem to be more fine in
their houses than their neighbors, -- are only of
the Corinth metal. --Holland.
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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.]
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Dives, for his delicate life, to the devil went.
--Piers
Plowman.
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Haarlem is a very delicate town. --Evelyn.
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2. Pleasing to the senses; refinedly agreeable; hence,
adapted to please a nice or cultivated taste; nice; fine;
elegant; as, a delicate dish; delicate flavor.
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3. Slight and shapely; lovely; graceful; as, "a delicate
creature." --Shak.
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4. Fine or slender; minute; not coarse; -- said of a thread,
or the like; as, delicate cotton.
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5. Slight or smooth; light and yielding; -- said of texture;
as, delicate lace or silk.
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6. Soft and fair; -- said of the skin or a surface; as, a
delicate cheek; a delicate complexion.
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7. Light, or softly tinted; -- said of a color; as, a
delicate blue.
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8. Refined; gentle; scrupulous not to trespass or offend;
considerate; -- said of manners, conduct, or feelings; as,
delicate behavior; delicate attentions; delicate
thoughtfulness.
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9. Tender; not able to endure hardship; feeble; frail;
effeminate; -- said of constitution, health, etc.; as, a
delicate child; delicate health.
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A delicate and tender prince. --Shak.
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10. Requiring careful handling; not to be rudely or hastily
dealt with; nice; critical; as, a delicate subject or
question.
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There are some things too delicate and too sacred
to be handled rudely without injury to truth. --F.
W. Robertson.
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11. Of exacting tastes and habits; dainty; fastidious.
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12. Nicely discriminating or perceptive; refinedly critical;
sensitive; exquisite; as, a delicate taste; a delicate
ear for music.
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13. Affected by slight causes; showing slight changes; as, a
delicate thermometer.
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