delicacy - Dictionary definition and pronunciation - Yahoo! Education

Definition of delicacy

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del·i·ca·cy  audio  (dl-k-s) KEY 

NOUN:
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.
    1. Sensitivity to the feelings of others; tact: phrased the apology with delicacy.
    2. Sensitivity to what is proper; propriety.
    3. 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.
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English delicacie, from delicat, delicate ; see delicate


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