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(), n.; pl. Dainties (). [OE. deinie, dainte, deintie, deyntee, OF. deinti delicacy, orig., dignity, honor, fr. L. dignitas, fr. dignus worthy. See Deign, and cf. Dignity.] 1. Value; estimation; the gratification or pleasure taken in anything. [Obs.] I ne told no deyntee of her love. Chaucer. 2. That which is delicious or delicate; a delicacy. That precious nectar may the taste renew Of Eden's dainties, by our parents lost. Beau. & Fl. 3. A term of fondness. [Poetic] B. Jonson. Syn. -- Dainty, Delicacy. These words are here compared as denoting articles of food. The term delicacy as applied to a nice article of any kind, and hence to articles of food which are particularly attractive. Dainty is stronger, and denotes some exquisite article of cookery. A hotel may be provided with all the delicacies of the season, and its table richly covered with dainties. These delicacies I mean of taste, sight, smell, herbs, fruits, and flowers, Walks and the melody of birds. M Dain"ty a.[Compar.Daintier (); superl.Daintiest.] 1. Rare; valuable; costly. [Obs.] Full many a deynt horse had he in stable. Chaucer. Hence the proverb "dainty maketh dearth," i. e., rarity makes a thing dear or precious. 2. Delicious to the palate; toothsome. Dainty bits Make rich the ribs. Shak. 3. Nice; delicate; elegant, in form, manner, or breeding; well-formed; neat; tender. Those dainty limbs which nature lent For gentle usage and soft delicacy. Milton. I would be the girdle. About her dainty, dainty waist. Tennyson. 4. Requiring dainties. Hence: Overnice; hard to please; fastidious; squeamish; scrupulous; ceremonious. Thew were a fine and dainty people. Bacon. And let us not be dainty of leave-taking, But shift away. Shak. To make dainty, to assume or affect delicacy or fastidiousness. [Obs.] Ah ha, my mistresses! which of you all Will now deny to dance? She that makes dainty, She, I'll swear, hath corns. Shak. スポンサード リンク
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