delicate — I. adjective Etymology: Middle English delicat, from Latin delicatus given to self indulgence, fastidious, subtly pleasing, not robust; akin to Latin delicere to allure Date: 14th century 1. pleasing to the senses: a. generally pleasant < the… … New Collegiate Dictionary
delicate — delicately, adv. delicateness, n. /del i kit/, adj. 1. fine in texture, quality, construction, etc.: a delicate lace collar. 2. fragile; easily damaged; frail: delicate porcelain; a delicate child. 3. so fine as to be scarcely perceptible; subtle … Universalium
delicate — /ˈdɛləkət / (say deluhkuht) adjective 1. fine in texture, quality, construction, etc. 2. dainty or choice, as food. 3. soft or faint, as colour. 4. so fine or slight as to be scarcely perceptible; subtle. 5. easily damaged; fragile. 6. requiring… …
instrument — [ ɛ̃strymɑ̃ ] n. m. • 1365; estrument v. 1119; lat. instrumentum « ce qui sert à équiper », de instruere → instruire I ♦ 1 ♦ Objet fabriqué servant à exécuter qqch., à faire une opération. REM. Instrument est plus général et moins concret que… … Encyclopédie Universelle
instrument — [in′strə mənt] n. [OFr < L instrumentum, a tool or tools, stock, furniture, dress < instruere: see INSTRUCT] 1. a) a thing by means of which something is done; means b) a person used by another to bring something about 2. a tool or… … English World dictionary
instrument — n. implement 1) a blunt; delicate; sharp instrument 2) surgical instruments; instruments of torture 3) an instrument for (an instrument for good) device for producing a musical sound 4) to play an instrument 5) a brass; musical; percussion;… … Combinatory dictionary
delicate — adj. VERBS ▪ be, feel, look ▪ Her bones felt as delicate as a bird s. ▪ The glasses looked very delicate. ▪ become AD … Collocations dictionary
instrument — noun 1 tool for a particular task ADJECTIVE ▪ precision, sensitive ▪ sophisticated ▪ reliable ▪ crude ▪ blunt … Collocations dictionary
instrument — /in streuh meuhnt/, n. 1. a mechanical tool or implement, esp. one used for delicate or precision work: surgical instruments. 2. a contrivance or apparatus for producing musical sounds: a stringed instrument. 3. a means by which something is… … Universalium
delicate — adj. 1 a fine in texture or structure; soft, slender, or slight. b of exquisite quality or workmanship. c (of colour) subtle or subdued; not bright. d subtle, hard to appreciate. 2 (of a person) easily injured; susceptible to illness. 3 a… … Useful english dictionary
instrument — n. & v. n. 1 a tool or implement, esp. for delicate or scientific work. 2 (in full musical instrument) a device for producing musical sounds by vibration, wind, percussion, etc. 3 a a thing used in performing an action (the meeting was an… … Useful english dictionary