delicacy

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   The quality of being delicate.

   […] for unless a matter be true enough to stand a good deal of misrepresentation, its truth is not of a very robust order, and the blame will rather lie with its own delicacy than with the carelessness of the crusher.

2. 2
   noun

   Something appealing, usually a pleasing food, especially a choice dish of a certain culture suggesting rarity and refinement.

   a Chinese delicacy

3. 3
   noun

   lightness in movement or manner

4. 4
   noun

   the quality of being beautiful and delicate in appearance

5. 5
   noun

   subtly skillful handling of a situation

6. 6
   noun

   lack of physical strength

7. 7
   noun

   smallness of stature

8. 8
   noun

   refined taste

Etymology

From Middle English delicacie, from Middle English delicat, from Latin delicatus. Equivalent to delicate + -cy.