Dainty
Dainty , noun
[Old English deinie, dainte, deintie, deyntee, Old French deintié delicacy, orig., dignity, honor, from Latin dignitas, from dignus worthy. See Deign, and compare Dignity.]
1.
Value; estimation; the gratification or pleasure taken in anything. [Obsolete]
I ne told no deyntee of her love.
2.
That which is delicious or delicate; a delicacy.
That precious nectar may the taste renew
Of Eden's dainties, by our parents lost.
3.
A term of fondness. [Poetic] — B. Jonson
These delicacies
I mean of taste, sight, smell, herbs, fruits, and flowers,
Walks and the melody of birds.
[A table] furnished plenteously with bread,
And dainties, remnants of the last regale.
Dainty , adjective
1.
Rare; valuable; costly. [Obsolete]
Full many a deynté horse had he in stable.
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.
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.
I would be the girdle.
About her dainty, dainty waist.
4.
Requiring dainties. Hence: Overnice; hard to please; fastidious; squeamish; scrupulous; ceremonious.
Thew were a fine and dainty people.
And let us not be dainty of leave-taking,
But shift away.
Ah ha, my mistresses! which of you all
Will now deny to dance? She that makes dainty,
She, I'll swear, hath corns.
Collocations (1)
To make dainty , to assume or affect delicacy or fastidiousness. [Obsolete]