1  definition  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Dainty  \Dain"ty\,  n.;  pl  {Dainties}.  [OE.  deinie  dainte, 
  deintie  deyntee,  OF  deinti['e]  delicacy,  orig.,  dignity, 
  honor,  fr  L.  dignitas  fr  dignus  worthy.  See  {Deign},  and 
  cf  {Dignity}.] 
  1.  Value;  estimation;  the  gratification  or  pleasure  taken  in 
  anything  [Obs.] 
 
  I  ne  told  no  deyntee  of  her  love.  --Chaucer. 
 
  2.  That  which  is  delicious  or  delicate;  a  delicacy. 
 
  That  precious  nectar  may  the  taste  renew  Of  Eden's 
  dainties,  by  our  parents  lost.  --Beau.  &  Fl 
 
  3.  A  term  of  fondness.  [Poetic]  --B.  Jonson 
 
  Syn:  {Dainty},  {Delicacy}. 
 
  Usage:  These  words  are  here  compared  as  denoting  articles  of 
  food.  The  term  delicacy  as  applied  to  a  nice  article 
  of  any  kind  and  hence  to  articles  of  food  which  are 
  particularly  attractive.  Dainty  is  stronger,  and 
  denotes  some  exquisite  article  of  cookery.  A  hotel  may 
  be  provided  with  all  the  delicacies  of  the  season,  and 
  its  table  richly  covered  with  dainties. 
 
  These  delicacies  I  mean  of  taste,  sight,  smell, 
  herbs,  fruits,  and  flowers,  Walks  and  the  melody 
  of  birds.  --Milton. 
 
  [A  table]  furnished  plenteously  with  bread,  And 
  dainties,  remnants  of  the  last  regale.  --Cowper. 

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