dainty
/ˈdeɪnti/
Word Rarity
Rare
Frequency: 3.07 in modern English
10
Scrabble Score
6
Letters
2
Syllables
6
Unique Chars
Meaning
adj
Elegant; delicately small and pretty.
adj
Fastidious and fussy, especially when eating.
noun
A fancy cookie, pastry, or square, frequently homemade, served at a social event.
Example Sentences
- "As for thoſe People of the Eaſt, (Goa, Calecute, Malaca,) they vvere a Fine, and Dainty People; Frugall, and yet Elegant, though not Militar."
- "Those dainty limbs which nature lent / For gentle usage and soft delicacy."
- "However, with the dainty volume my quondam friend sprang into fame. At the same time he cast off the chrysalis of a commonplace existence."
- "The cutting sides were gay with heather in bloom, and masses of dainty Scots bluebells, while patches of clear sky overhead were bringing life and colour to the sea."
- "UUho when he ſhal embrace you in his arms UUil tell how many thouſand men he ſlew. And when you looke for amorous diſcourſe, Will rattle foorth his facts of war and blood: Too harſh a ſubiect for your daintie eares."
- "And let us not be dainty of leave taking, / But shift away."
Etymology
From Middle English deynte (as noun), from Old French deintié, from Latin dignitātem. Doublet of dignity.
Origin
Word Breakdown
- Root: *deḱ-, deynte, deintié, dignitātem
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /ˈdeɪnti/
- British English: /ˈdeɪnti/
Usage
Subject
Wiktionary places this term in Food.