10. Requiring careful handling; not to be rudely or hastily dealt with; nice; critical; as, a delicate subject or question. There are some things too delicate and too sacred to be handled rudely without injury to truth. F. W. Robertson.
11. Of exacting tastes and habits; dainty; fastidious.
12. Nicely discriminating or perceptive; refinedly critical; sensitive; exquisite; as, a delicate taste; a delicate ear for music.
13. Affected by slight causes; showing slight changes; as, a delicate thermometer.
DELICATE
Del"i*cate, n.
1. A choice dainty; a delicacy. [R.] With abstinence all delicates he sees. Dryden.
2. A delicate, luxurious, or effeminate person. All the vessels, then, which our delicates have, — those I mean that would seem to be more fine in their houses than their neighbors, — are only of the Corinth metal. Holland.
DELICATELY
Del"i*cate*ly, adv.
Defn: In a delicate manner.
DELICATENESS
Del"i*cate*ness, n.