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 delicate delicate /ˈdɛləkət/

adjective

  1. () Exquisitely fine and subtle and pleasing; susceptible to injury  ( delicate )
    exquisitely fine and subtle and pleasing; susceptible to injury
     A delicate violin passage
    a delicate violin passage
     Delicate china
    delicate china
     A delicate flavor
    a delicate flavor
     The delicate wing of a butterfly
    the delicate wing of a butterfly
  2. () Easily broken, damaged or destroyed  ( frail , delicate , fragile )
    easily broken, damaged or destroyed
     A kite too delicate to fly safely
    a kite too delicate to fly safely
     Fragile porcelain plates
    fragile porcelain plates
     Fragile old bones
    fragile old bones
     A frail craft
    a frail craft
  3. () Marked by great skill especially in meticulous technique  ( delicate )
    marked by great skill especially in meticulous technique
     A surgeon's delicate touch
    a surgeon's delicate touch
  4. () Difficult to handle; requiring great tact  ( ticklish , touchy , tickly , delicate )
    difficult to handle; requiring great tact
     Delicate negotiations with the big powers
    delicate negotiations with the big powers
     Hesitates to be explicit on so ticklish a matter
    hesitates to be explicit on so ticklish a matter
     A touchy subject
    a touchy subject
  5. () Developed with extreme delicacy and subtlety  ( finespun , delicate )
    developed with extreme delicacy and subtlety
     The satire touches with finespun ridicule every kind of human pretense
    the satire touches with finespun ridicule every kind of human pretense
  6. () Easily hurt  ( delicate , soft )
    easily hurt
     Soft hands
    soft hands
     A baby's delicate skin
    a baby's delicate skin
  7. Of an instrument or device; capable of registering minute differences or changes precisely  ( delicate )
    of an instrument or device; capable of registering minute differences or changes precisely
     Almost undetectable with even the most delicate instruments
    almost undetectable with even the most delicate instruments