delicateness
(ˈdɛlɪkətnɪs)
[f. as prec. + -ness.]
The quality of being delicate, delicacy. The opposite of roughness, coarseness, grossness.
| 1530 Palsgr. 212/2 Delycatenesse, friandise. 1552 Huloet, Delicatenes, mollicia, mollicies, muliebritas. 1555 Eden Decades 49 They fynde the lyke softenes or delicatenes to bee in herbes. 1598 Stow Surv. x. (1603) 80 They which delight in delicatenesse may be satisfied with as delicate dishes there as may be found elsewhere. 1611 Bible Deut. xxviii. 56 The tender and delicate woman..which would not aduenture to set the sole of her foote vpon the ground, for delicatenesse and tendernesse. 1670–98 R. Lassels Voy. Italy Pref. 19 Any young traveller should leave behind him..all delicateness and effeminateness. 1678 Trans. Crt. Spain 21 The delicateness of our Young Prince suffered him not to bear the Fatigue. 1727 Bradley Fam. Dict. s.v. Epilepsy, Young Children are more subject to the Falling-Sickness..by Reason of the Delicateness of the Nerves. 1873 Daily News 21 Aug., To borrow the delicateness of [this] French idiom. |