D — Deletion to Delineable (Part 4 of 6)

11. Of exacting tastes and habits; dainty; fastidious.

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

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

Delicate
(Del"i*cate), n.

1. A choice dainty; a delicacy. [R.]

With abstinence all delicates he sees.

2. A delicate, luxurious, or effeminate person.

All the vessels, then, which our delicates have, — those I mean that would seem to be more fine in their houses than their neighbors, — are only of the Corinth metal.

Delicately
(Del"i*cate*ly) adv. In a delicate manner.

Delicateness
(Del"i*cate*ness), n. The quality of being delicate.

Delices
(Del"i*ces) n. pl. [F. délices, fr. L. deliciae.] Delicacies; delights. [Obs.] "Dainty delices." Spenser.

Deliciate
(De*li"ci*ate) v. t. To delight one's self; to indulge in feasting; to revel. [Obs.]

Delicious
(De*li"cious) a. [OF. delicieus, F. délicieux, L. deliciosus, fr. deliciae delight, fr. delicere to allure. See Delight.]

1. Affording exquisite pleasure; delightful; most sweet or grateful to the senses, especially to the taste; charming.

Some delicious landscape.

One draught of spring's delicious air.

Were not his words delicious?

2. Addicted to pleasure; seeking enjoyment; luxurious; effeminate. [Obs.]

Others, lastly, of a more delicious and airy spirit, retire themselves to the enjoyments of ease and luxury.

Syn. — Delicious, Delightful. Delicious refers to the pleasure derived from certain of the senses, particularly the taste and smell; as, delicious food; a delicious fragrance. Delightful may also refer to most of the senses (as, delightful music; a delightful prospect; delightful sensations), but has a higher application to matters of taste, feeling, and sentiment; as, a delightful abode, conversation, employment; delightful scenes, etc.

Like the rich fruit he sings, delicious in decay.

No spring, nor summer, on the mountain seen,
Smiles with gay fruits or with delightful green.

Deliciously
(De*li"cious*ly), adv. Delightfully; as, to feed deliciously; to be deliciously entertained.

Deliciousness
(De*li"cious*ness), n.

1. The quality of being delicious; as, the deliciousness of a repast.