exquisiteadj.n.
/ˈɛkskwɪzɪt//ɪkˈskwɪzɪt/ A. adj.† 2. † b. of knowledge. Obsolete.† c. Pathology. [translating Greek ἀκριβής, rendered exquisitus in the Latin versions of Galen.] Of a specified disease: Accurately so named; typical, genuine, as opposed to spurious. Cf. French (fièvre) exquise.† 4. Of a person, etc.: Accomplished either in good or bad things; consummate, excellent, perfect. Const. at, of, in, also to with infinitive. Obsolete.
1. Sought out, ‘recherché’.† a. Of an expedient, explanation, reason: Sought out, ingeniously devised, far-fetched. Of studies: Abstruse.† b. Of language, expression, terms: Carefully selected; aptly chosen, choice. Hence, out of the way, uncommon; in unfavourable sense, affected, over-laboured. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > intelligibility > unintelligibility > depth, obscurity > [adjective]
higheOE
dighela1000
deepc1000
darkOE
starkOE
dusk?c1225
subtle1340
dimc1350
subtilea1393
covert1393
mystica1398
murka1400
cloudyc1400
hard?c1400
mistyc1400
unclearc1400
diffuse1430
abstractc1450
diffused?1456
exquisitec1460
obnubilous?a1475
obscure?a1475
covered1484
intricate?a1500
nice?a1500
perplexeda1500
difficilea1513
difficult1530
privy1532
smoky1533
secret1535
abstruse?1549
difficul1552
entangled1561
confounded1572
darksome1574
obnubilate1575
enigmatical1576
confuse1577
mysteriousa1586
Delphic1598
obfuscatea1600
enfumed1601
Delphicala1603
obstruse1604
abstracted1605
confused1611
questionable1611
inevident1614
recondite1619
cryptic1620
obfuscated1620
transcendent1624
Delphian1625
oraculous1625
enigmatic1628
recluse1629
abdite1635
undilucidated1635
clouded1641
benighted1647
oblite1650
researched1653
obnubilated1658
obscurative1664
tenebrose1677
hyperbyssal1691
condite1695
diffusive1709
profound1710
tenebricose1730
oracular1749
opaque1761
unenlightening1768
darkling1795
offuscating1798
unrecognizable1817
tough1820
abstrusive1848
obscurant1878
out-of-focus1891
unplumbable1895
inenubilable1903
non-transparent1939
the mind > mental capacity > intelligibility > meaning > explanation, exposition > [adjective] > explained > ingeniously
exquisitec1460
c1460 J. Fortescue Governance of Eng. (1714) 36 He schal by necessite be artid, to fynd exquisyte [Laud MS. requisite] meanys of getting of goods.
1565 J. Jewel Replie Hardinges Answeare viii. 401 If this Exposition seeme to M. Hardinge ouer exquisite, or curious.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Twelfth Night (1623) ii. iii. 139 I haue no exquisite reason for't, but I haue reason good enough. View more context for this quotation
1665 G. Havers tr. P. della Valle Trav. E. India 8 The English..well understand all the most exquisite points of Navigation.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > literature > style of language or writing > elegance > [adjective] > apt or felicitous
exquisite?a1505
exquised1521
well-chosen1561
well-chose1595
apt1600
lucky1670
felicitous1867
a1505 R. Henryson Test. Cresseid 268 in Poems (1981) 119 To heir His facound toung and termis exquisite.
1521 in H. Bradshaw Lyfe St. Werburge 2nd balade sig. s.iii Fragrant and facunde, of englisshe exquisite.
c1550 Complaynt Scotl. (1979) Prol. 13 I thocht it nocht necessair, til hef fardit..this tracteit vitht exquisite termis, quhilkis ar nocht daly vsit.
1593 R. Harvey Philadelphus 70 If the phrase be not exquisit, or the observation not singular.
1650 R. Stapleton tr. F. Strada De Bello Belgico iii. 54 Which benefit Granvel ascribed to the Dutchess, with exquisite thanks.
c1698 H. Maundrell Let. in Journey to Jerusalem (1703) sig. T2 The most hideous Execrations; in which way these Eastern Nations, have certainly the most exquisite Rhetorick of any People upon Earth.
c. Of meat, drink, etc.: Carefully chosen; choice, dainty, delicious (passing into sense A. 5).
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > taste and flavour > savouriness > [adjective]
likingeOE
goodOE
lickerousc1275
deliciousa1325
daintya1382
dainteousc1386
daintiful1393
delicatea1398
merrya1398
savourlyc1400
liciousc1420
savourousa1425
daintethc1430
lustyc1430
feelsomea1450
nuttya1450
seasonablea1475
delicativec1475
unctuous1495
well-tasteda1500
daintive1526
savoury1533
exquisite1561
spicy1562
well-relished?1575
finger-licking1584
toothsome1584
taste-pleasinga1586
daint1590
relishsome1593
lickerish1595
tastesome1598
friand1599
tooth-tempting1603
relishing1605
well-relishing1608
neat1609
hungry1611
palate-pleasing1611
tasteful1611
palatea1617
tastya1617
palatable1619
toothful1622
sipid1623
unsoured1626
famelic1631
tasteablea1641
piquant1645
sapid1646
saporousa1670
slape1671
palativea1682
flavorous1697
nice1709
well-flavoured1717
gusty1721
flavoury1727
fine-palated1735
unrepulsive1787
degustatory1824
zesty1826
peckish1845
mouth-watering1847
flavoursome1853
unreasty1853
unrancida1855
relishy1864
toothy1864
flavoured1867
tasty-looking1867
hungrifying1886
velvety1888
snappy1892
zippy1911
savoursome1922
delish1953
the world > food and drink > food > qualities of food > [adjective] > delicate or dainty
estlichc1200
daintya1382
dainteousc1386
daintiful1393
delicatea1398
daintethc1430
delicativec1475
daintive1526
exquisite1561
daint1590
friand1599
neat1609
nice1709
tid1727
1561 T. Norton tr. J. Calvin Inst. Christian Relig. iv. f. 86 The filthy desire of exquisite meates.
1585 H. Llwyd tr. Pope John XXI Treasury of Health (new ed.) sig. C iij In al diseases of long continuance the pacyent most vse lytle meate & exquisite.
1671 J. Milton Paradise Regain'd ii. 346 All Fish from Sea or Shore..of shell or fin, And exquisitest name. View more context for this quotation
1715 R. Nelson Addr. Persons of Quality 66 The Devil..nourishes himself with the most exquisite morsels.
1716 Lady M. W. Montagu Let. 8 Sept. (1965) I. 260 18 different sorts [of wine], all exquisite in their kinds.
1781 E. Gibbon Decline & Fall II. 10 The Propontis..renowned for..the most exquisite fish.
a. Carefully ascertained or adjusted; accurate, exact. Of an action, investigation, etc.; whence of persons or agents: Careful, curious, minute. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > freedom from error, correctness > exactness, accuracy, precision > [adjective]
rightOE
namely?c1225
lealc1330
very1338
truec1400
justc1425
exquisite1541
precise?a1560
jump1581
accuratea1599
nice1600
refined1607
punctual1608
press?1611
square1632
exact1645
unerring1665
proper1694
correct1705
pointed1724
prig1776
precisivea1805
as right as a trivet1835
spot on1936
1541 T. Elyot Castel of Helthe (new ed.) 52 a The meate that shall make syckenes, must not a lyttell excede the exquisite measure.
c1571 E. Campion Two Bks. Hist. Ireland (1963) i. vii. 27 It will be no hard matter to discrye the falshead, wherin I wold be more exquisite, were it worth my labour.
1581 R. Mulcaster Positions xli. 252 The framing of the minde..craueth exquisite consideration.
1602 W. Fulbecke Parallele or Conf. Law ii. 2. In the due performance of his Tithe, he was alwaies diligent and exquisite.
1605 F. Bacon Of Aduancem. Learning i. sig. E2v A necessitie of a more exquisite trauaile in the languages originall, wherein those Authors did write. View more context for this quotation
1624 H. Wotton Elements Archit. in Reliquiæ Wottonianæ (1672) 26 There must be an exquisite care to place the Columnes precisely one over another.
1637 J. Milton Comus 13 Be not over exquisite To cast the fashion of uncertaine evils.
1715 J. Richardson Ess. Theory of Painting 28 A curious Mechanick's Hand must be exquisite, but his Thoughts are..pretty much at Liberty.
a1797 E. Burke Ess. Abridgm. Eng. Hist. (rev. ed.) in Wks. (1812) V. 574 Accuracy or exquisite digestion of their laws.
ΚΠ
1564 A. Golding tr. Justinus Hist. Trogus Pompeius xx. f. 94 Takyng his iourney first into Egipt, and afterward to Babilō..he [sc. Pythagoras] attained to meruelous exquisite knowledge.
1651 N. Culpeper Astrol. Judgm. Dis. Ep. (1658) 2 To make judgement sound, is required an exquisite knowledg.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > characteristics > [adjective] > other characteristics
hoteOE
redeOE
foulOE
elvishc1386
dryc1400
whitec1450
Naples1507
shaking1528
cold1569
exquisite1583
unpure1583
waterish1583
wandering1585
legitimate1615
sulphureous1625
tetrous1637
cagastrical1662
medical1676
ambulatory1684
ebullient1684
frantic1709
animated1721
progressive1736
cagastric1753
vegetative1803
left-handed1804
specific1804
subacute1811
animate1816
gregarious1822
vernal1822
ambilateral1824
subchronic1831
regressive1845
nummular1866
postoperative1872
ambulant1873
non-surgical1888
progredient1891
spodogenous1897
spodogenic19..
non-invasive1932
early-onset1951
adult-onset1957
non-specific1964
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > foundation in fact, validity > [adjective] > accurately so named > of disease
exquisite1583
legitimate1615
1583 P. Barrough Methode of Phisicke v. xvi. 239 In an exquisite erysipelas make no detraction of bloud.
1656 J. Smith Compl. Pract. Physick 136 An exquisite differs from a bastard Tertian.
1684 tr. T. Bonet Guide Pract. Physician iv. 120 An exquisite Diabetes caused by attraction of urine.
3. Carefully elaborated; brought to a high degree of perfection.† a. Of art, workmanship, a product of art or nature: Elaborate, highly finished, excellent. Of an action or process, a state or condition: Carried to a high degree of perfection or completeness. Obsolete; merged in sense A. 4.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > ability > skill or skilfulness > [adjective] > having practical, operative, or constructive skill > skilfully made or wrought > and elaborate
curiousc1384
exquisite1561
Daedalian1607
pandaedalian1618
elaborate1621
daedala1649
inextricable1692
Bezaleelian1878
1561 T. Norton tr. J. Calvin Inst. Christian Relig. i. f. 5 They se that exquisite workmanship in al their members.
1589 T. Nashe To Students in R. Greene Menaphon Epist. sig. **4v Manie other exquisite editions of Diuinitie, turned by him [Golding] out of the French tongue.
1600 R. Surflet tr. C. Estienne & J. Liébault Maison Rustique i. xxviii. 191 The herbe called rose baie, or oleander..is an exquisite remedie for this disease.
1607 E. Topsell Hist. Foure-footed Beastes 338 Forum Traiani, the most exquisite building of all the world.
1633 Bp. J. Hall Plaine Explic. Hard Texts i. 379 They shall make an exquisite dispatch of the inhabitants.
1709 J. Strype Ann. Reformation xxi. 250 Wherein he hath done such exquisite service to the Protestant cause.
a1711 T. Ken Wks. (1721) I. 52 All things which exquisitest Poysons breed.
1752 D. Hume Ess. & Treat. (1777) II. 193 Everything, belonging to a vain man, is the best that is any where to be found..his cookery is more exquisite.
1802 W. Paley Nat. Theol. viii. 105 Small pipes..which..might..distribute this exquisite supply to every part of the body.
b. Of torture: Elaborately devised; hence, excruciating, intensely painful. Cf. A. 6.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > punishment > torture > [adjective] > painful
exquisite1603
1603 R. Knolles Gen. Hist. Turkes 475 Hee caused [them] to be put to death with most exquisit torments.
1630 tr. G. Botero Relations Famous Kingdomes World (rev. ed.) 13 Tortures of more exquisite device.
1673 W. Cave Primitive Christianity i. i. 2 Put to death with the most exquisite arts of torture.
c. Of qualities, dispositions, habits, whether good or bad: Cultivated to a high degree of intensity; consummate, extreme. Now with some notion (in the case of bad qualities, ironical) of sense A. 4.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > greatness of quantity, amount, or degree > high or intense degree > [adjective] > very great or extreme
strangec1380
overpassinga1382
passinga1387
most?c1430
extremec1460
horriblea1464
violenta1500
mainc1540
immortal?c1550
exquisite1552
sore1555
three-piled1598
thundering1618
devilish1639
shrewda1643
deadly1660
woundy1681
vast1696
monstrous1711
mortal1716
terrific1743
hell-fired1754
hellish1764
colossal1794
severe1805
awful1818
all-fired1829
terrible1829
quare and1847
ferocious1877
pluperfect1889
raging1889
giddy1896
utter1898
stiff1905
1552 R. Huloet Abcedarium Anglico Latinum Exquisite or immoderate clenlines.
1649 Εἰκων Βασιλικη xii With exquisite malice they have mixed the gall and vinegar of falsitie and contempt with the cup of My Affliction.
1774 J. Wesley Wks. (1830) IV. 18 His exquisite want of judgement.
1817 J. Mill Hist. Brit. India I. ii. x. 465 (note) The exquisite ignorance and stupidity of the Mysoreans in the art of war.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. II. 54 A new religious order..animated by intense enthusiasm and organised with exquisite skill.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > ability > skill or skilfulness > [adjective] > very or highly skilled
finea1350
exquisite1530
well-skilled1533
virtuoso1842
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement Introd. 44 If any..be desyrous to be exquisyt in the frenche tong.
1581 J. Bell tr. W. Haddon & J. Foxe Against Jerome Osorius 59 A bishop, so exquisite in divinity, as you are.
1607 E. Topsell Hist. Foure-footed Beastes 505 It is a creature very diligent & exquisite, both to compasse, seeke out and chuse the same.
1634 T. Herbert Relation Some Yeares Trauaile Alphabet. Table sig. Hh2v/1 Regia-Bander an exquisite villaine, murders the olde and young Moguls.
1650 R. Stapleton tr. F. Strada De Bello Belgico vi. 21 Captaine Campin an exquisite Enginere.
1719 D. Defoe Farther Adventures Robinson Crusoe 302 His Honour must..be a most exquisite Sloven.
a1790 B. Franklin Autobiogr. (1981) i. 61 A most exquisite Mechanic, and a solid sensible Man.
1807 J. Beresford Miseries Human Life II. xv. 40 I made her write..to an exquisite gentleman.
1823 W. Scott Quentin Durward III. iii. 69 ‘I guess he had some such exquisite instructor,’ said Louis.
5. Of such consummate excellence, beauty, or perfection, as to excite intense delight or admiration. (Now the prevailing sense; in early examples a contextual use of 3, sometimes of 1 or 2.)
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > surpassing excellence > [adjective]
sunderlyOE
noblec1330
precellentc1384
passantc1385
especialc1386
passinga1387
surmountingc1407
superlative?a1430
precelling?1435
pre-eminenta1460
outrepassed1477
divine1488
pre-excellenta1500
superexcellent1508
transcending1528
pre-ordinate1543
exceeding1552
superexcelling1554
exquisite1578
surpassingc1580
summary1587
paragon1593
transcendent1598
overmatchful1609
termless1609
overtoppinga1615
paramounta1626
overtowering1639
surpassant1654
transcendental1701
superior1711
towery1731
prize1739
supernala1817
tiptopsome1819
tip-topping1826
par excellence1839
superfine1850
towering1894
1578 J. Lyly Euphues f. 3v A woman so exquisite, that in some mennes iudgement Pigmalions Image was not halfe so excellent.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Cymbeline (1623) i. vi. 191 Iewels Of rich, and exquisite forme. View more context for this quotation
1632 J. Hayward tr. G. F. Biondi Eromena 1 The youngest among them was a babe of exquisite beauty.
1632 J. Hayward tr. G. F. Biondi Eromena 51 Caused the March or Levata to be sounded..with such exquisite melodie [etc.].
1845 L. Hunt Stories Ital. Poets I. 168 A lovely spot..enamelled with flowers that surpassed the exquisitest dyes.
1860 J. Tyndall Glaciers of Alps i. x. 67 The weather was so exquisite.
1876 H. N. Humphreys Coin Coll. Man. xxvi. 387 The Greeks found means to invest with exquisite symmetry even a..vine leaf.
1879 G. C. Harlan Eyesight ii. 12 An exquisite adaptation of every part to the great object of the whole.
1884 Queen Victoria More Leaves 292 As we drove, the setting sun bathed the hills in crimson..the effect was exquisite.
6. Of pain, pleasure, etc.: Intense, acute, keen.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > intense emotion > [adjective]
inmostc897
inlyeOE
mucha1200
deepa1400
inwardc1402
quickc1449
piercingc1450
sharpc1480
profound1526
feeling1531
visceral1575
infelta1586
hearty?1614
hearteda1616
home-felt1637
exquisitea1656
deep-rooted1669
intimate1671
exalted1704
bosom-felt1771
pathologic1891
bone deep1900
a1656 Bp. J. Hall Shaking of Olive-tree (1660) ii. 105 The Spirit feels more exquisite pain without the Body..then it could feel in the former conjunction with it.
1749 H. Fielding Tom Jones I. ii. vi. 128 The Distresses of the Vicious..became too exquisite . View more context for this quotation
1836 J. Sparks Mather in Amer. Biogr. VI. iv. 262 She was thrown into exquisite misery.
1860 J. L. Motley Hist. Netherlands (1868) I. v. 198 It was a moment of exquisite triumph.
1865 W. E. H. Lecky Hist. Rationalism (1878) I. iii, 320 Surgeons..have derived the most exquisite pleasure from the operations of their profession.
7. Of the power of feeling, bodily or mental, the senses, etc.: Keenly sensitive to impressions; acutely susceptible of pain, pleasure, etc.; delicate, finely-strung.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > judgement or decision > discernment, discrimination > [adjective] > with delicacy
delicatea1533
finea1566
fine-headed1574
nice1593
refining1595
choice1601
refined1607
point-device1639
exquisite1643
nice-discerning1745
feelingful1943
1643 W. Prynne Soveraigne Power Parl. Ded. sig. A2v One person of the exquisitest judgement.
1668 N. Culpeper & A. Cole tr. T. Bartholin Anat. (new ed.) i. xix. 51 They have an exquisite sense, and are pained when stones pass through them.
1712 R. Steele Spectator No. 508. ⁋3 We thought him a Person of an exquisite Palate.
1796 J. Morse Amer. Universal Geogr. (new ed.) II. 19 The serpent's olfactory nerves being remarkably exquisite.
1842 T. B. Macaulay Frederic the Great in Ess. (1877) I. 660 He had an exquisite ear, and performed skilfully on the flute.
1847–9 Todd's Cycl. Anat. & Physiol. IV. i. 219/1 The sensibility of the eye to light is very exquisite.
8. quasi-adv.= exquisitely adv.
ΚΠ
1529 T. More Supplyc. Soulys i. f. ii In parell of exquysyte paynefull punysshement.
1743 J. Bulkeley & J. Cummins Voy. to South-seas 145 They [Guanacoes] are exceeding nimble, of an exquisite quick Sight..and difficult to be shot.
B. n.
A person (usually a man) who is over-nice in dress, etc.; a coxcomb, dandy, fop.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > fashionableness > [noun] > dandy
popa1500
miniona1513
prick-me-daintya1529
puppy?1544
velvet-coat1549
skipjack1554
coxcomb1567
musk cat?1567
physbuttocke1570
Adonis?1571
Adon1590
foretop1597
musk-cod1600
pretty fellow1600
sparkc1600
spangle-baby1602
flash1605
barber-monger1608
cocoloch1610
dapperling1611
fantastica1613
feather-cock1612
trig1612
jack-a-dandy?1617
gimcrack1623
satinist1639
powder puffa1653
fop1676
prig1676
foplinga1681
cockcomb1684
beau garçona1687
shape1688
duke1699
nab1699
smirk1699
beau1700
petty master1706
moppet1707
Tom Astoner1707
dapper1709
petit maître1711
buck1725
toupee1727
toupet1728
toupet-man1748
jemmy1753
jessamy1753
macaroni1764
majoc1770
monkeyrony1773
dandyc1780
elegant1780
muscadin1794
incroyable1797
beauty man1800
bang-up1811
natty1818
ruffian1818
exquisite1819
heavy swell1819
marvellous1819
bit of stuff1828
merveilleux1830
fat1832
squirt1844
dandyling1846
ineffable1859
guinea pig1860
Dundreary swell1862
masher1872
dude1877
mash1879
dudette1883
dand1886
heavy gunner1890
posh1890
nut1904
smoothie1929
fancy-pants1930
saga boy1941
fancy Dan1943
1819 ‘R. Rabelais’ Abeillard & Heloisa 34 Like modern dashing Exquisites.
1830 T. Arnold in A. P. Stanley Life & Corr. T. Arnold (1844) II. App. 388 Our exquisites imitate the outside of foreign customs without discrimination.
1849 J. Stephen Ess. Eccl. Biogr. (1850) I. 147 The unlucky Exquisite was degraded on the spot.
1868 M. Pattison Suggestions Acad. Organisation v. 241 The foppish exquisite of the drawing-room.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1894; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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adj.n.c1460