dainty

Etymology

From Middle English deynte (as noun), from Old French deintié, from Latin dignitātem. Doublet of dignity.

adj

1. Elegant; delicately small and pretty.
   The cutting sides were gay with heather in bloom, and masses of dainty Scots bluebells, while patches of clear sky overhead were bringing life and colour to the sea. 1947 January and February, O. S. Nock, “"The Aberdonian" in Wartime”, in Railway Magazine, page 9
2. Fastidious and fussy, especially when eating.
3. (obsolete) Excellent; valuable, fine.

noun

1. A delicacy (in taste).
   And she receyued hym with grete Ioye and made hym to sytte doune by her and soo was he sette to soupe with flesshe and many deyntees And she received him with great joy, and made him to sit down by her, and so was he set to sup with flesh and many dainties. 1485, Thomas Malory, Le Morte Darthur Book XVI, Chapter vii leaf 337r
   […]my case was deplorable enough, yet I had great cause for thankfulness that I was not driven to any extremities for food, but had rather plenty, even to dainties. 1719, Daniel Defoe, Robinson Crusoe
2. (Canadian prairies, Northwestern Ontario, usually in the plural) A fancy cookie, pastry, or square, frequently homemade, served at a social event.
3. (obsolete) Esteem, honour.
4. (obsolete) An affectionate term of address.
   I am not eager at forbidden dainties 1616, Ben Jonson, The Devil Is an Ass