| 释义 |
del·i·cate
I. \-kə̇t, usu -ə̇d.+V\ adjective
(sometimes -er/-est)
Etymology: Middle English delicat, from Latin delicatus pleasing to the senses, voluptuous, pampered, dainty; akin to Latin delicere to allure — more at delight
1. : gratifying to the senses : sensuously pleasing:
a. : generally agreeable or pleasant : delightful
< the most delicate air — Grecian air, pellucid — Richard Jefferies >
< a delicate garden >
b. : pleasing to the sense of taste or smell especially without being heady, obtrusive, or intense
< a tea with a peculiarly delicate aroma >
< a delicate blend of spices >
: subtly savory
< delicate cookery >
< delicate dishes to tempt an invalid >
c. : delightful to see especially because of fine dainty charming color, lines, or proportions
< her face … was as delicate as porcelain — Ellen Glasgow >
2. obsolete : characterized by or addicted to self-indulgence or ease : luxury-loving : voluptuous; also : slothful
3.
a. : marked by or given to keen sensitivity of impression and analysis, fine discrimination, subtle distinction, nice appreciation; also : calling for observation and judgment with these qualities
< this delicate moralist, so sensitive to historical pathos — Cecil Sprigge >
< a task so delicate exacts the scholar and philosopher — B.N.Cardozo >
b. : marked by or given to fastidiousness especially by exacting or squeamish tastes or prim interests and pursuits : likely to be repelled by the crude or gross; also : calling for fastidious treatment
< not a book for the delicate reader, but … not pornographic — Charles Lee >
c. : strongly marked by or given to scruples, strict ethics, propriety, honor, punctilio, or finer feelings
4.
a. : capable of or marked by precise or minute perception, detection, measure, discernment, or judgment
b. of an instrument or device : exhibiting great delicacy or extreme sensitivity : capable of reacting to or registering (as by deflection of a balance) a minute effect, force, or quantity
< an impulse so small as to be almost undetectable with even the … most delicate instruments — A.C.Morrison >
c. : calling for or involving meticulously careful measurement, treatment, or calculation
< a delicate process >
< delicate tests for contamination >
: liable to being easily unsettled or mishandled; sometimes : precariously or very unevenly balanced
< the delicate interdependence of our credit-built finance and industry — Norman Angell >
5.
a. : marked by precise skillful meticulous technique or operation or by execution with adroit finesse in meeting uncommon difficulties or dangers; also : requiring such technique, operation, or execution
< a marvelously precise chart … the calculations were delicate, minute, exquisitely clear — Sinclair Lewis >
b. : marked by very fine structure, texture, finish, organization, or integration produced by or as if by immaculate or meticulous craftsmanship
< delicate feminine handwriting — George Meredith >
< a delicate celestial chain of sapphires — Elinor Wylie >
< delicate lace >
c. : frail, fragile, or readily torn, bruised, damaged, or hurt
< a delicate butterfly wing >
often : lacking in physical strength and stamina : tending to suffer fatigue or illness from slight causes : weak, sickly
d. : marked by fine subtlety : having qualities perceived and appreciated only by the cultivated : not crude or obvious
< an irony so quiet, so delicate, that many readers never notice it — J.B.Priestley >
e. : marked by or given to elaborate tact, cautious judgment, and prudent discreetness to avoid offense, conflict, or difficulty
< delicate semidiplomatic relationships with belligerent and neutral powers — W.B.Hesseltine >
< he went off, delicate as always, so we could talk about it — Ernest Hemingway >
also : requiring such characteristics : sensitive, uncertain, precarious
< a delicate position, one requiring great tact — J.T.Farrell >
< one's spiritual concerns are rather delicate for a stranger to meddle with — Herman Melville >
Synonyms: see choice
II. noun
(-s)
Etymology: Middle English delicat, from Latin delicatus voluptuary, from delicatus, adjective
: one that is delicate: as
a. obsolete : a luxurious or fastidious person
b. obsolete : a delight especially of the senses : luxury
c. archaic : a table delicacy |