1del;i;cate pronunciation: function: adjective etymology: middle english delicat, from latin delicatus given to self-indulgence, fastidious, subtly pleasing, not robust; akin to latin delicere to alluredate: 14th century 1 : pleasing to the senses: a : generally pleasant lt;the climate's delicate, the air most sweet — shakespearegt; b : pleasing to the sense of taste or smell especially in a mild or subtle way lt;a delicate aromagt; lt;a robust wine will dominate delicate dishesgt; c : marked by daintiness or charm of color, lines, or proportions lt;a delicate floral printgt; lt;an ample tear trilled down her delicate cheek — shakespearegt; d : marked by fineness of structure, workmanship, or texture lt;a delicate tracerygt; lt;a delicate lacegt; 2 a : marked by keen sensitivity or fine discrimination lt;delicate insightsgt; lt;a more delicate syntactic analysis — r. h. robinsgt; b : fastidious, squeamish lt;a person of delicate tastesgt;3 a : not robust in health or constitution : weak, sickly lt;had been considered a delicate childgt; b : easily torn or damaged : fragile lt;the delicate chain of lifegt;4 a : requiring careful handling: (1) : easily unsettled or upset lt;a delicate balancegt; lt;the delicate relationships defined by the constitution — new yorkergt; (2) : requiring skill or tact lt;in a delicate positiongt; lt;delicate negotiationsgt; lt;a delicate operationgt; (3) : involving matters of a deeply personal nature : sensitive lt;this is a delicate matter. could i possibly speak to you alone — daphne du mauriergt; b : marked by care, skill, or tact lt;delicate handling of a difficult situationgt;5 : marked by great precision or sensitivity lt;a delicate instrumentgt;synonyms see choice— del;i;cate;ly adverb