Both Uses
delicacy
in
A Bend in the River
(Edited)
- I saw a delicacy in him that I had never seen on the coast. His manners were like a form of consideration; and however small the occasion, his manners never failed.
p. 118.6 *delicacy = sensitivity and tact
- He bought his newspaper in one shop, read it with morning coffee in a tiny café that also offered old watercolour paintings for sale; took a turn in the park; shopped for delicacies in the various food shops.
p. 240.3 *delicacies = rare and expensive types of foods
Definitions:
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(1)
(delicacy as in: eat the delicacy) something that is rare or expensive -- usually a prized food
-
(2)
(delicacy as in: discuss with delicacy) care and gentleness -- especially speaking or acting with sensitivity and tact
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(3)
(delicacy as in: offend her delicacy) the quality of being easily hurt or damaged
(often referring to the fragility of someone's emotional well being when it is easily distressed by something that is offensive or disturbing) -
(4)
(delicacy as in: delicacy of the brushwork) pleasant subtlety or fineness
- (5) (meaning too rare to warrant focus)