plural delicacies
Definition of delicacy
1
: something pleasing to eat that is considered rare or luxurious
considered caviar a delicacy
2a
: the quality or state of being dainty (see dainty entry 2 sense 2) : fineness
lace of great delicacy the delicacy of a spider web
b
: frailty sense 1
the delicacy of his health
3
: fineness or subtle expressiveness of touch (as in painting or music)
4a
: refined sensibility in feeling or conduct
handled the difficult situation with delicacy
b
: the quality or state of being squeamish
Hunger knows no delicacy.
5
: the quality or state of requiring delicate (see delicate entry 1 sense 4b) handling
the delicacy of the tense negotiations
6a
: precise and refined perception and discrimination
the delicacy of his taste in art
b
: extreme sensitivity : precision
an electronic instrument of great delicacy
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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Time Traveler for delicacy
The first known use of delicacy was in the 14th century
See more words from the same century