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   Del·i·ca·cy

   /ˈdeləkəsē/

   

   noun

   • 1. fineness or intricacy of texture or structure: "miniature pearls of exquisite delicacy" Similar finenessexquisitenessdelicatenessintricacydaintinessairinesselegancegracefulnessgraceflimsinessgauzinessfloatinesssilkinesssensitivityprecisionaccuracyexactnessOpposite crudenesscoarseness
   • 2. susceptibility to illness or adverse conditions; fragility. Similar sicklinesspoor/ill healthvaletudinarianismfrailtyfrailnessfragilityfeeblenessweaknessdebilityinfirmityOpposite robustness
   • 3. tact and consideration: "I have to treat this matter with the utmost delicacy" Similar caresensitivitytactdiscretiondiplomacyfinessesubtletyconsiderationconsideratenesssensibilityOpposite clumsinessineptnessinsensitivity
   • ▪ the quality of requiring discretion or sensitivity: "the delicacy of the situation" Similar difficultytrickinesssensitivitysensitivenessticklishnessawkwardnesstouchinesscontroversiality
   • ▪ accuracy of perception; sensitiveness.
   • 4. a choice or expensive food: "asparagus was considered a delicacy by the ancient Greeks" Similar choice foodgourmet fooddaintytreatluxurytidbitbonne bouchespecialitynamkeentidbitarchaic:cate

   Word Origin late Middle English (in the senses ‘voluptuousness’ and ‘luxuriousness’): from delicate + -acy.

   Scrabble Points: 16

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   • E

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   • L

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   • I

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   • C

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   • A

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   • C

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   • Y

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