Dainty

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ˈdeɪnti/
• Rhymes: -eɪnti

Origin

From Old French deintié, from Latin dignitātem.

Full definition of dainty

Noun

1. (obsolete) Esteem, honour.
2. A delicacy.
• 1719, Daniel Defoe, Robinson Crusoe...my case was deplorable enough, yet I had great cause for thankfulness that I was not driven to any extremities for food, but had rather plenty, even to dainties.
• William Cowpertable furnished plenteously with bread,
  And dainties, remnants of the last regale.
3. (Canada, Prairies and northwestern Ontario) A fancy cookie, pastry, or square served at a social event (usually plural).
4. (obsolete) An affectionate term of address.

Adjective

1. (obsolete) Excellent; valuable, fine.
• 1603, John Florio, translating Michel de Montaigne, Essays, II.13:Heliogabalus the most dissolute man of the world, amidst his most riotous sensualities, intended, whensoever occasion should force him to it, to have a daintie death.
2. Elegant; delicately small and pretty.
• MiltonThose dainty limbs which nature lent
  For gentle usage and soft delicacy.
• 1898, Winston Churchill, The Celebrity Chapter 1, However, with the dainty volume my quondam friend sprang into fame. At the same time he cast off the chrysalis of a commonplace existence.
3. Fastidious and fussy, especially when eating.
• Francis BaconThey were a fine and dainty people.
• ShakespeareAnd let us not be dainty of leave taking,
  But shift away.

Synonyms

• neat
• petite