delicate

adjective

1. fine in texture, quality, construction, etc.: a delicate lace collar.
2. fragile; easily damaged; frail: delicate porcelain; a delicate child.
3. so fine as to be scarcely perceptible; subtle: a delicate flavor.
4. soft or faint, as color: a delicate shade of pink.
5. fine or precise in action or execution; capable of responding to the slightest influence: a delicate instrument.
6. requiring great care, caution, or tact: a delicate international situation.
7. distinguishing subtle differences: a delicate eye; a delicate sense of smell.
8. exquisite or refined in perception or feeling; sensitive.
9. regardful of what is becoming, proper, etc.: a delicate sense of propriety.
10. mindful of or sensitive to the feelings of others: a delicate refusal.
11. dainty or choice, as food: delicate tidbits.
12. primly fastidious; squeamish: not a movie for the delicate viewer.
13. Obsolete. sensuous; voluptuous.

noun

14. Archaic. a choice food; delicacy.
15. Obsolete. a source of pleasure; luxury.

adjective

1. exquisite, fine, or subtle in quality, character, construction, etc
2. having a soft or fragile beauty
3. (of colour, tone, taste, etc) pleasantly subtle, soft, or faint
4. easily damaged or injured; lacking robustness, esp in health; fragile
5. precise, skilled, or sensitive in action or operationa delicate mechanism
6. requiring tact and diplomacy
7. sensitive in feeling or manner; showing regard for the feelings of others
8. excessively refined; squeamish

noun

9. archaic a delicacy; dainty

adj.

late 14c., “self-indulgent, loving ease; delightful; sensitive, easily hurt; feeble,” from Latin delicatus “alluring, delightful, dainty,” also “addicted to pleasure, luxurious, effeminate;” of uncertain origin; related by folk etymology (and perhaps genuinely) to deliciae “a pet,” and delicere “to allure, entice” (see delicious). Meaning “easily broken” is recorded from 1560s.