exquisitely
UK[ɪkˈskwɪzɪtli]US[ɪkˈskwɪzɪtli]
adv
in a manner that is extremely beautiful, delicate, or finely made
adv
in a manner that is intensely felt, either of pleasure or pain
Morpheme Breakdown
ex
quisit
ely
ex
out
quisit
sought
ely
adverb suffix
Etymology
the word 'exquisitely' originates from the latin verb 'quaerere', meaning 'to seek or ask'. its past participle 'quaesitus' combined with the intensive prefix 'ex-' (meaning 'out') formed the latin 'exquisitus', which literally meant 'sought out' or 'carefully chosen'. this sense of something selected with great care evolved in english to denote something of rare and refined quality. the adverbial suffix '-ly' was then appended, transforming the adjective 'exquisite' into a modifier describing an action performed with extreme beauty, delicacy, or intensity.
Analysis
Structure: ex (out) + quisit (sought) + ely (adverb suffix)
ex- (latin prefix meaning 'out'); quisit (from latin past participle 'quaesitus' of 'quaerere', meaning 'to seek, ask'); -ely (english adverbial suffix derived from old english '-lice', forming adverbs from adjectives).
Examples
the table was exquisitely carved from a single piece of mahogany.
she was exquisitely sensitive to the slightest change in his mood.
the flavors in the dish were exquisitely balanced.