dainty
UK[ˈdeɪnti]US[ˈdeɪnti]
adj
Small and pretty in a delicate way
adj
(of food) Small and served in an attractive way
adj
(of a person) Careful about what they eat or like; easily made to feel sick
n
A small, attractive, and often expensive piece of food
Etymology
The journey of 'dainty' from a concept of high esteem to one of delicate prettiness is a story of semantic narrowing and refinement. It originates from the Latin 'dignitas', which carried the weighty, abstract sense of merit and honor. Through Anglo-Norman French, it entered Middle English as 'deinte', initially denoting something of great value or a choice delicacy worthy of high regard. Over centuries, the meaning shifted from the abstract value of the object to its perceptible qualities, focusing on the exquisite, delicate, and pleasing nature that makes something worthy of being prized, eventually settling on its modern senses related to delicate beauty and small, elegant foods.
Analysis
The word is a simplex. It entered English as a whole from the Anglo-Norman French word 'dainté' or 'deintié', meaning 'worthiness, pleasure, a delicacy'. This, in turn, derived from the Latin 'dignitas', meaning 'worthiness, merit, honor'.
Examples
She wore a dainty gold necklace with a small pearl.
The tea was served with dainty sandwiches and cakes.
He's a dainty eater who avoids anything too rich or spicy.