dainty

[ deyn-tee ]
/ ˈdeɪn ti /

adjective, dain·ti·er, dain·ti·est.

of delicate beauty; exquisite: a dainty lace handkerchief.
pleasing to the taste and, often, temptingly served or delicate; delicious: dainty pastries.
of delicate discrimination or taste; particular; fastidious: a dainty eater.
overly particular; finicky.

noun, plural dain·ties.

something delicious to the taste; a delicacy.

Origin of dainty

1175–1225; Middle English deinte worthiness, happiness, delicacy < Anglo-French (Old French deint(i)e) < Latin dignitāt- (stem of dignitās); see dignity

synonym study for dainty

1. See delicate. 3. See particular.

OTHER WORDS FROM dainty

Example sentences from the Web for dainty

British Dictionary definitions for dainty

dainty
/ (ˈdeɪntɪ) /

adjective -tier or -tiest

delicate or elegant a dainty teacup
pleasing to the taste; choice; delicious a dainty morsel
refined, esp excessively genteel; fastidious

noun plural -ties

a choice piece of food, esp a small cake or sweet; delicacy

Derived forms of dainty

daintily, adverb daintiness, noun

Word Origin for dainty

C13: from Old French deintié, from Latin dignitās dignity