Easily broken, damaged, or harmed, or needing to be handled with care. It can also describe something very fine, light, or detailed in a pleasing way.
From Latin *delicatus* meaning 'alluring, dainty, tender', passing through Old French before entering English. The word has long suggested both pleasure and fragility.
Delicate things are often valuable precisely because they’re fragile—think of lace, glass, or someone’s feelings. The word quietly hints that strength isn’t the only kind of beauty; sometimes weakness makes something precious.
Like 'delicacy', 'delicate' has been heavily gendered, especially in describing women and girls as physically weak, emotionally fragile, or in need of protection. This has been used to justify limiting women's work, movement, and political rights.
Use 'delicate' for objects, materials, or complex situations rather than as a default descriptor for women or any gender. When describing people, be specific (e.g., 'recovering from surgery') instead of implying inherent fragility.
["fragile (objects)","complex","sensitive","finely detailed"]
Women in labor movements, sports, and medicine have repeatedly disproven assumptions of female 'delicacy' and expanded understandings of physical and mental capacity.
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