noun

delicacy

a choice food, fineness, fragility, tact

Smoked salmon is a real delicacy.

Smoked salmon is a real delicacy.

The delicacy of the lace was amazing.

The delicacy of the lace was amazing.

This is a matter of great delicacy.

This is a matter of great delicacy.

((a delicacy)) a rare or expensive food to eat Smoked salmon is a real delicacy.

((the delicacy)) ((of sth.)) the quality of being fine or fragile The delicacy of the lace was amazing.

((a matter)) ((of great delicacy)) a situation requiring tact This is a matter of great delicacy.

Synonyms: (food) treat, specialty; (quality) fineness, fragility, tact; Antonyms: (quality) coarseness, robustness

From Latin 'delicatus' meaning 'alluring, delightful'. It's the noun form of the adjective 'delicate'.

Think of things that are 'delicate': a fine food (a delicacy), a fine quality (delicacy of touch), or a sensitive situation (a matter of delicacy).

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