Dictionary definition · delicate
adjective
- exquisitely fine and subtle and pleasing; susceptible to injury"a delicate violin passage"
- marked by great skill especially in meticulous technique"a surgeon's delicate touch"
- easily broken or damaged or destroyed"a kite too delicate to fly safely"
- easily hurt"soft hands"
- developed with extreme delicacy and subtlety"the satire touches with finespun ridicule every kind of human pretense"
- difficult to handle; requiring great tact"delicate negotiations with the big powers"
- of an instrument or device; capable of registering minute differences or changes precisely"almost undetectable with even the most delicate instruments"
Source: Open English WordNet (CC BY 4.0).