English Vocabulary (A - D)

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary... The Concise Oxford... Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes Further reading

delicate

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English | 2009 | Copyright

del·i·cate / ˈdelikit/ • adj. 1. very fine in texture or structure; of intricate workmanship or quality. ∎ (of a color or a scent) subtle and subdued. ∎ (of food or drink) subtly and pleasantly flavored. 2. easily broken or damaged; fragile. ∎ (of a person, animal, or plant) susceptible to illness or adverse conditions. ∎ (of a state or condition) easily upset or damaged. 3. requiring sensitive or careful handling. ∎ (of a person or an action) tactful and considerate: delicate tact was called for. ∎ skillful and finely judged; deft. ∎ (of an instrument) highly sensitive. • n. inf. a delicate fabric or garment made of such fabric. PHRASES: in a delicate condition archaic pregnant.DERIVATIVES: del·i·cate·ly adv. del·i·cate·ness n.

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

MLA
Chicago
APA

"delicate." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"delicate." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-delicate.html

"delicate." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-delicate.html

Learn more about citation styles

delicate

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology | 1996 | | Copyright

delicate †delightful, elegant, dainty; †indolent, †fastidious XIV; fine, not coarse or robust XVI; finely sensitive or skilful XVI. — (O)F. délicat or L. dēlicātus; of unkn. orig., but assoc. in sense-development with L. dēliciæ (see next); see -ATE 2.
Hence delicacy XIV; concr. XV.

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

MLA
Chicago
APA

T. F. HOAD. "delicate." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

T. F. HOAD. "delicate." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-delicate.html

T. F. HOAD. "delicate." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-delicate.html

Learn more about citation styles

delicate

Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes | 2007 | Copyright

delicate •braggart, faggot (US fagot), maggot •legate •bigot, gigot, Piggott, spigot •ingot • profligate • aggregate • yogurt •conjugate • abrogate • surrogate •ergot, virgate •Bagehot • patriarchate • wainscot •Sickert • predicate • syndicate •certificate, pontificate •Calicut • delicate • silicate • triplicate •duplicate, quadruplicate •intricate • Connecticut • Alcott •ducat • advocate •ballot, palate •charlotte, harlot •appellate, Helot, prelate, zealot •flagellate • distillate •Pilate, pilot •copilot • gyropilot • autopilot •triangulate •ejaculate, immaculate •amulet • spatulate •articulate, denticulate •consulate, proconsulate •postulate • ungulate •inviolate, ultraviolet •chocolate • cardinalate • desolate •isolate • disconsolate • Merlot

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

MLA
Chicago
APA

"delicate." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"delicate." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-delicate.html

"delicate." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-delicate.html

Learn more about citation styles

Free newspaper and magazine articles

	CAST MAINTAINS ``DELICATE BALANCE''.(DAILY BREAK)(Review) Newspaper article from: The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, VA); 11/3/1997
	Interview: Mary Sojourner on her book "Delicate: Stories of Light and Desire" Transcript from: NPR Morning Edition; 4/12/2001
	Goethe's "Delicate Empiricism": assessing its value for Australian... Magazine article from: Australian Journal of Environmental Education; 6/1/2011