| 释义 |
del·i·ca·cy
I. \ˈdelə̇kəsē, -lēk-, -si\ noun
(-es)
Etymology: Middle English delicacie, from delicat delicate + -cie -cy
1. obsolete
a. : the quality or state of being pleasurable or agreeable
b. : addiction to sensuous pleasure or luxury : indulgence; also : luxurious treatment or care
c. : pleasure, gratification
2. : something that is dainty or delicate and gives uncommon pleasure; especially : something pleasing to eat that is accounted rare or luxurious
< fresh fruit in winter was once a delicacy available only to the very rich >
3.
a. : fineness or daintiness of form, texture, or constitution
< the cobwebby delicacy of fine lace >
< the delicacy of the long filament that the silkworm spins >
< a slender figure of great delicacy >
b. : want of vigor or robustness : susceptibility to ill-health or injury : frailty, weakness, tenderness
< an appearance of overrefinement and delicacy >
< the delicacy of the tea rose renders it useless for northern gardens >
4. : nicety, fineness, or subtle expressiveness of manipulation or touch
< the delicacy of a pianist's touch >
5.
a. : precise and refined perception and discrimination
< the delicacy of his taste in art >
b. : extreme sensitivity : capacity for reacting to minute changes or with great precision — used chiefly of devices and mechanisms
< a balance of such delicacy that moisture from the breath would activate it >
< the delicacy of a fine watch movement >
6.
a. : nice sensibility especially as to the decorous, honorable, modest, or kindly; specifically : gentle consideration of the feelings of others
b. : excessive fastidiousness : squeamishness
< hunger knows no delicacy >
7. : the quality or state of requiring careful, precise, or tactful procedure
< the delicacy of the present international situation >
II. noun
: the degree of differentiation between subcategories of linguistic categories
< by increase in delicacy, the primary class is broken down into secondary classes — M.A.K.Halliday > |