dainty — delicately small and pretty; having refined taste or requiring careful handling
Part of speech: ADJECTIVE
Definition: delicately small and pretty; having refined taste or requiring careful handling
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈdeɪnti/
Example Sentences
- The cat took dainty sips from the milk bowl, as if it were dining at a five-star restaurant.
- Her dainty handwriting looked like fairy calligraphy on the wedding invitation.
- He claimed he wasn't hungry, but the dainty way he nibbled the cookie said otherwise.
dainty
ADJECTIVE[/ˈdeɪnti/]
delicately small and pretty; having refined taste or requiring careful handling
The muscular lumberjack carefully held the dainty teacup with two huge fingers.
DANE(Great Dane) + TY(tiny) — the giant Dane took a tiny, dainty step over the flower.
With just one drop of paint, she drew a dainty little bird.
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
From Middle English deynte, derived from Old French dainté meaning 'worth, value, dignity.' The word ultimately traces back to Latin dignitas (dignity, worth), which comes from dignus (worthy).
Breakdown
Latin dignus (worthy) + -ité (French suffix forming nouns of quality) > Old French dainté > Middle English deynte > Modern English dainty
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The cat took dainty sips from the milk bowl, as if it were dining at a five-star restaurant.”
“Her dainty handwriting looked like fairy calligraphy on the wedding invitation.”
“He claimed he wasn't hungry, but the dainty way he nibbled the cookie said otherwise.”
📚Related Words
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