Delicacy
/ˈdɛl.ɪ.kə.si/noun
The quality of being delicate, or a fine, pleasing, or easily damaged thing.
Did you know?Delicacy comes through Latin delicatus, related to the verb deliciae/ deliciare in the sense of delight and indulgence, so its history is tied to pleasure, luxury, and fragility rather than anything mystical.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*leig-
“to bind, tie”
Latin
Latin
delicatus
“delicate, dainty, luxurious; pleasing to the senses”
Late Latin
Latin
delicātia
“delicacy, fineness, elegance”
Old French
Old French
delicacie
“delicacy, daintiness; refinement”
Middle English
English
delicacie
“daintiness, fineness, luxury”
Modern English
English
delicacy
“the quality of being delicate; a refined or easily damaged thing; a rare food item”