delicate

Definitions

1. 1adjective

   Addicted to pleasure; luxurious; voluptuous; alluring.

2. 2adjective

   Pleasing to the senses; refinedly agreeable; hence, adapted to please a nice or cultivated taste; nice; fine; elegant; as, a delicate dish; delicate flavor.

3. 3adjective

   Slight and shapely; lovely; graceful; as, "a delicate creature."

4. 4adjective

   Fine or slender; minute; not coarse; -- said of a thread, or the like; as, delicate cotton.

5. 5adjective

   Slight or smooth; light and yielding; -- said of texture; as, delicate lace or silk.

6. 6adjective

   Soft and fair; -- said of the skin or a surface; as, a delicate cheek; a delicate complexion.

7. 7adjective

   Light, or softly tinted; -- said of a color; as, a delicate blue.

8. 8adjective

   Refined; gentle; scrupulous not to trespass or offend; considerate; -- said of manners, conduct, or feelings; as, delicate behavior; delicate attentions; delicate thoughtfulness.

9. 9adjective

   Tender; not able to endure hardship; feeble; frail; effeminate; -- said of constitution, health, etc.; as, a delicate child; delicate health.

10. 10adjective

    Requiring careful handling; not to be rudely or hastily dealt with; nice; critical; as, a delicate subject or question.

11. 11adjective

    Of exacting tastes and habits; dainty; fastidious.

12. 12adjective

    Nicely discriminating or perceptive; refinedly critical; sensitive; exquisite; as, a delicate taste; a delicate ear for music.

13. 13adjective

    Affected by slight causes; showing slight changes; as, a delicate thermometer.

14. 14noun

    A choice dainty; a delicacy.

15. 15noun

    A delicate, luxurious, or effeminate person.

16. 16adjective

    exquisitely fine and subtle and pleasing; susceptible to injury

    "a delicate violin passage"

    "delicate china"

17. 17adjective

    easily broken or damaged or destroyed

    "a kite too delicate to fly safely"

    "fragile porcelain plates"

    Synonyms

    fragilefrail
18. 18adjective

    difficult to handle; requiring great tact

    "delicate negotiations with the big powers"

    "hesitates to be explicit on so ticklish a matter"

    Synonyms

    ticklishtouchy
19. 19adjective

    developed with extreme delicacy and subtlety

    "the satire touches with finespun ridicule every kind of human pretense"

    Synonyms

    finespun
20. 20adjective

    of an instrument or device; capable of registering minute differences or changes precisely

    "almost undetectable with even the most delicate instruments"

21. 21adjective

    marked by great skill especially in meticulous technique

    "a surgeon's delicate touch"

22. 22adjective

    easily hurt

    "soft hands"

    "a baby's delicate skin"

    Synonyms

    soft