delicacy

Everyday

1. A delicacy is a special, unusual or expensive food that people think is very tasty. tree →
2. Delicacy is the quality of being fine, light or easily broken. tree →
3. Delicacy is care and tact in dealing with a difficult or embarrassing matter. tree →

In the lessons

In geography and food lessons, each country has delicacies: snails in France, haggis in Scotland, pavlova in Australia and NZ. In stories, a feast is full of delicacies; in The Wind in the Willows the picnic basket and the banquets are full of them. «A matter of some delicacy» means one to handle carefully.

Examples

• Snails are a delicacy in France. tree →
• The picnic basket was full of delicacies. tree →
• Lace is admired for its delicacy. tree →
• She handled the argument with delicacy. tree →
• Fresh crab is a seaside delicacy. tree →
• The feast had delicacies from every land. tree →
• This last delicacy played a principal part in the salad. tree →

Note

Countable for foods (delicacies); uncountable for fineness and tact. Adjective: delicate.

In Jewish tradition

In geography and food lessons, each country has delicacies: snails in France, haggis in Scotland, pavlova in Australia and NZ. In stories, a feast is full of delicacies; in The Wind in the Willows the picnic basket and the banquets are full of them. «A matter of some delicacy» means one to handle carefully.

Note

Countable for foods (delicacies); uncountable for fineness and tact. Adjective: delicate.