dainty etymology

Etymology:

  • French: daint, delicate (c. 1300)
  • Middle English: deyntee/dayntee (c. 1340)
  • Old French: deintié/deintée (c. 1270)
  • Late Latin: dignitas (worth, honor, reverence)

Meaning:

  • Delicate, elegant, charming, or graceful
  • Small and exquisite

Origin:

The word "dainty" evolved from the Late Latin term "dignitas," which referred to worth, honor, and reverence. Over time, the meaning of "dignitas" shifted to denote elegance and refinement, which led to the development of the Middle French term "deintié."

In English, the word "dainty" first appeared in the 14th century, initially referring to something that was highly valued or prized. It was later extended to describe something that was small, delicate, or elegant.

Today, "dainty" typically refers to something that is characterized by its petite, graceful, or refined nature. It can be used to describe physical qualities, such as a person's appearance or objects like jewelry or clothing. It can also be used figuratively to denote something that is delicate or charming, such as a person's mannerisms or a work of art.

dainty relate terms

  • daintily

    Etymology The word daintily comes from the Old French word deintement which itself c

  • dainty

    Etymology French daint delicate c 1300 Middle English deyntee dayntee c 1340 O

  • condign

    Etymology The word condign has its origins in Latin con meaning together or wi

  • dainty

    Etymology French daint delicate c 1300 Middle English deyntee dayntee c 1340 O

  • decent

    Etymology Latin decens befitting proper becoming Proto Indo European dek ri

  • decor

    Etymology The word decor comes from the Latin word decorus which means proper fi

  • decorate

    Etymology Latin decorare to adorn beautify Proto Indo European deḱ to grow

  • decorous

    Etymology Latin decorus seemly becoming Proto Indo European dek decency com

  • deign

    Etymology The word deign originates from the Old French word deignier which in turn

  • dignify

    Etymology The word dignify comes from the Latin word dignus meaning worthy or d

  • dignity

    Etymology The word dignity comes from the Latin word dignitas which means worth or

  • diplodocus

    Etymology Name Diplodocus Meaning Double beam Origin Greek words diploos double

  • disciple

    Etymology The word disciple comes from the Latin discipulus which means pupil or

  • discipline

    Etymology Latin disciplina Meaning instruction teaching training Origin discer

  • disdain

    Etymology The word disdain comes from the Old French word desdaignier meaning to

  • docent

    Etymology The word docent is derived from the Latin verb docere which means to teac

  • Docetism

    Etymology The term Docetism derives from the Greek word dokein which means to seem

  • docile

    Etymology Latin docibilis teachable gentle Ultimately from Proto Indo European

  • docimacy

    Etymology Greek δοκιμασία dokimasia testing trial Latin docimare to te

  • doctor

    Etymology The word doctor derives from the Latin word docēre meaning to teach M

  • doctrine

    Etymology The word doctrine originates from the Latin word doctrina which means tea

  • document

    Etymology The word document originates from the Latin word documentum which means p

  • dogma

    Etymology Greek dogma δόγμα meaning opinion belief decree Meaning A

  • dogmatic

    Etymology The word dogmatic originates from the Latin word dogma which means doctr

  • doxology

    Etymology From Late Latin doxologia from Greek δοξολογία doxologia from δ

  • heterodox

  • indignance

    Etymology Late Latin indignatio from Latin indignari to be indignant from Indi

  • indignant

    Etymology Indignus Latin meaning unworthy undeserving ant Suffix denoting a qual

  • indignation

    Etymology Late Latin indignatio from Latin indignus unworthy from in not dign

  • indignity

    Etymology Latin indignitas unworthiness indignity Proto Indo European dheigh

  • orthodox

    Etymology The word orthodox derives from the Greek words ortho meaning right st

  • paradox

    Etymology The word paradox originates from the Greek language para παρά mea

  • synecdoche

    Etymology and Origin The word synecdoche originates from the Greek words syn togethe

  • treat

    Etymology The word treat comes from the Middle English word treten meaning to handl

  • exquisite

    Etymology The word exquisite comes from the Latin word exquisitus meaning chosen ou

  • Nice

    Etymology The word nice is derived from the Old French word nice which itself comes

  • finicky

    Etymology Origin Late Middle English adjective perhaps ultimately from Frankish fini

  • minion

    Etymology The word minion is derived from the Old French word mignon meaning darlin

  • delicate

    Etymology The word delicate comes from the Middle French word délicat which in tur

  • elegant

    Etymology The word elegant originates from the Latin word eligere meaning to choos

  • savory

    Etymology Old French savoreus Latin sapor taste Meaning and Origin The word

  • nutrition

    Etymology The word nutrition comes from the Latin word nutrire meaning to nourish

  • sweet

    Etymology The word sweet comes from the Old English word swēte which itself evolve