delicate delicate /ˈdɛləkət/

adjective

1. () Exquisitely fine and subtle and pleasing; susceptible to injury  ( delicate )
   exquisitely fine and subtle and pleasing; susceptible to injury
    A delicate violin passage
   a delicate violin passage
    Delicate china
   delicate china
    A delicate flavor
   a delicate flavor
    The delicate wing of a butterfly
   the delicate wing of a butterfly
   
2. () Easily broken, damaged or destroyed  ( frail , delicate , fragile )
   easily broken, damaged or destroyed
    A kite too delicate to fly safely
   a kite too delicate to fly safely
    Fragile porcelain plates
   fragile porcelain plates
    Fragile old bones
   fragile old bones
    A frail craft
   a frail craft
   
3. () Marked by great skill especially in meticulous technique  ( delicate )
   marked by great skill especially in meticulous technique
    A surgeon's delicate touch
   a surgeon's delicate touch
   
4. () Difficult to handle; requiring great tact  ( ticklish , touchy , tickly , delicate )
   difficult to handle; requiring great tact
    Delicate negotiations with the big powers
   delicate negotiations with the big powers
    Hesitates to be explicit on so ticklish a matter
   hesitates to be explicit on so ticklish a matter
    A touchy subject
   a touchy subject
   
5. () Developed with extreme delicacy and subtlety  ( finespun , delicate )
   developed with extreme delicacy and subtlety
    The satire touches with finespun ridicule every kind of human pretense
   the satire touches with finespun ridicule every kind of human pretense
   
6. () Easily hurt  ( delicate , soft )
   easily hurt
    Soft hands
   soft hands
    A baby's delicate skin
   a baby's delicate skin
   
7. Of an instrument or device; capable of registering minute differences or changes precisely  ( delicate )
   of an instrument or device; capable of registering minute differences or changes precisely
    Almost undetectable with even the most delicate instruments
   almost undetectable with even the most delicate instruments