Delicateness Meaning and Definition

Pronunciation

/dɪlɪkˈteɪtnəs/ 🔊

Part of Speech

Noun

Definition

A rare or intricate quality or characteristic, often referring to something fragile or easily damaged.

Examples

• The antique vase was handled with delicateness to avoid breaking.
• The chef carefully folded the delicate sheets of pastry.

Synonyms

• Delicacy
• Sensitivity

Antonyms

• Coarseness
• Crassness

Additional Information

Delicateness is often associated with refinement, elegance, and precision. It requires a high level of care and attention to maintain or preserve something delicate. In everyday life, delicateness can refer to handling fragile objects, cooking techniques, or even emotional states.

Delicateness can also imply a sense of refinement or sophistication, as in the context of fine dining or artistic expression.

Etymology

The word “delicateness” has its roots in the 15th-century Latin term “delicatus,” meaning “dainty” or “refined.” Over time, the term evolved to encompass the concept of something being fragile or easily damaged.

Usage Notes

When using the term “delicateness,” it is essential to consider the context in which it is used. Delicateness can refer to various aspects of something, from its physical properties to its emotional or psychological significance.

Cultural References

The term “delicateness” appears in various forms of media, such as literature, film, and art. For example, in the 19th-century novel “Madame Bovary,” the protagonist’s obsessive attention to delicateness is seen as a symbol of her refined yet fragile nature.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

• “Handle with delicateness” (meaning to handle something carefully)
• “A delicate situation” (meaning a situation that requires careful handling)

Related Words or Phrases

• Fragility
• Sensitivity
• Rigor

Collocations

• “Delicateness requires patience”
• “The artist’s delicate touch is evident in her painting”

Frequency of Use

The word “delicateness” is relatively infrequent in everyday language, but it is commonly used in contexts where precision, care, and refinement are essential.

Common Misspellings

• Delicias
• Delicacy
• Delicateous