delicate

Where does the word "delicate" come from? It comes from Latin delicatus, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

Delicate’s story begins in Latin: delicatus meant “pleasing, luxurious.” Related to 'delicere', to allure, the root of 'delicious'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as delicat. First said of people who loved ease and luxury; the sense 'easily broken' dates from the 1560s. It reached English by 1300s as delicate. 'delicatessen' comes from the same root via German. Today, delicate means easily broken; fine in texture.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient delicatus "pleasing, luxurious", related to 'delicere', to allure, the root of 'delicious'.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval delicat "delicate", first said of people who loved ease and luxury; the sense 'easily broken' dates from the 1560s.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s delicate "pleasing", 'delicatessen' comes from the same root via German.