indelicate
Meaning
lacking sensitivity or tact; coarse or improper
not refined or dainty; crude
Structure
Usage
His indelicate remarks about her appearance caused an awkward silence.
The comedy sketch relied on indelicate humor that some found offensive.
She considered it indelicate to discuss financial matters in such a public setting.
Etymology
The word 'indelicate' is a straightforward negation formed in English by adding the Latin-derived negative prefix 'in-' to the adjective 'delicate'. 'Delicate' itself entered English from Latin delicatus, which carried meanings of pleasure, fineness, and sensitivity, likely related to deliciae (delight, pleasure). The prefix 'in-', also from Latin, is a common and productive morpheme for forming opposites. Therefore, the literal construction "not delicate" evolved logically into its modern abstract meanings, describing behavior that is not sensitive or refined, and thus coarse or improper.
Analysis
- in: Latin origin, a prefix meaning "not" or "without". - delicate: Latin origin, from delicatus meaning "giving pleasure, delightful, fine, sensitive". In this word, it functions as the core adjective.