Etymology Map
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Dainty

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means delicately small and pretty

Where does the word "dainty" come from? It comes from Latin dignitas, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
dignitas
Latin · ancient
"worthiness"
from 'dignus', worthy, the same root as 'dignity'
2
Stage 2 of 3
deintié
Old French · medieval
"delicacy, pleasure"
a choice morsel or something prized
3
Stage 3 of 3
dainty
English · 1200s
"a delicacy"
the adjective 'delicate, petite' grew out of the prized-titbit sense
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Read the full story

Dainty’s story begins in Latin: dignitas meant “worthiness.” From 'dignus', worthy, the same root as 'dignity'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as deintié. A choice morsel or something prized. It reached English by 1200s as dainty. The adjective 'delicate, petite' grew out of the prized-titbit sense. Today, dainty means delicately small and pretty.