Dainty \Dain"ty\, a. [Compar. Daintier; superl. Daintiest.]
   1. Rare; valuable; costly. [Obs.]
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            Full many a deynt['e] horse had he in stable.
                                                  --Chaucer.
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   Note: Hence the proverb "dainty maketh dearth," i. e., rarity
         makes a thing dear or precious.
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   2. Delicious to the palate; toothsome.
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            Dainty bits
            Make rich the ribs.                   --Shak.
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   3. Nice; delicate; elegant, in form, manner, or breeding;
      well-formed; neat; tender.
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            Those dainty limbs which nature lent
            For gentle usage and soft delicacy.   --Milton.
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            I would be the girdle.
            About her dainty, dainty waist.       --Tennyson.
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   4. Requiring dainties. Hence: Overnice; hard to please;
      fastidious; squeamish; scrupulous; ceremonious.
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            Thew were a fine and dainty people.   --Bacon.
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            And let us not be dainty of leave-taking,
            But shift away.                       --Shak.
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   To make dainty, to assume or affect delicacy or
      fastidiousness. [Obs.]
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            Ah ha, my mistresses! which of you all
            Will now deny to dance? She that makes dainty,
            She, I'll swear, hath corns.          --Shak.
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