English Explanatory Dictionary

dainty

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adj
  1. Elegant; delicately small and pretty.
  2. Fastidious and fussy, especially when eating.
  3. Excellent; valuable, fine.
noun
  1. A delicacy (choice or pleasing food).
  2. A fancy cookie, pastry, or square, frequently homemade, served at a social event.
  3. Esteem, honour.
  4. An affectionate term of address.

Pronunciation

/ˈdeɪnti/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Naomi Persephone Amethyst (NaomiAmethyst)-dainty.wav en-us-dainty.ogg En-dainty.ogg

Word forms

dainty daintier daintiest dainties

Etymology

From Middle English deynte (as noun), from Old French deintié, from Latin dignitātem. Doublet of dignity.

Synonyms

neat petite

Derived words

Canadian dainty daintiful daintify daintily daintiness overdainty prick-me-dainty superdainty undainteous undainty
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