Adjective

(en adjective)

capable of being maintained or justified; well-founded

Back in the 1800s, many did not consider Darwin's theory of evolution to be tenable at all.

(of a defensive structure) capable of being defended against assault or attack; defensible

Adjective

(en adjective)

Easily damaged or requiring careful handling.

Those clothes are made from delicate lace.

The negotiations were very delicate .

* F. W. Robertson

There are some things too delicate and too sacred to be handled rudely without injury to truth.

* {{quote-news

, year=2012 , date=April 23 , author=Angelique Chrisafis , title=François Hollande on top but far right scores record result in French election , work=the Guardian citation , page= , passage=The final vote between Hollande and Sarkozy now depends on a delicate balance of how France's total of rightwing and leftwing voters line up.}}

Characterized by a fine structure or thin lines.

Her face was delicate .

The spider wove a delicate web.

There was a delicate pattern of frost on the window.

Intended for use with fragile items.

Set the washing machine to the delicate cycle.

Refined; gentle; scrupulous not to trespass or offend; considerate; said of manners, conduct, or feelings.

delicate''' behaviour; '''delicate''' attentions; '''delicate thoughtfulness

Of weak health; easily sick; unable to endure hardship.

a delicate''' child; '''delicate health

* Shakespeare

a delicate and tender prince

(informal) Unwell, especially because of having drunk too much alcohol.

Please don't speak so loudly: I'm feeling a bit delicate this morning.

(obsolete) Addicted to pleasure; luxurious; voluptuous; alluring.

* 1360–1387 , (William Langland), (Piers Plowman) (C-text), passus IX, line 285:

Þenk þat diues for hus delicat lyf to þe deuel wente.

* circa'' 1660 , (John Evelyn) (author), , volume I of II (1901), entry for the 19th of August in 1641, page 29:

Haerlem is a very delicate town and hath one of the fairest churches of the Gothic design I had ever seen.

Pleasing to the senses; refined; adapted to please an elegant or cultivated taste.

a delicate''' dish; '''delicate flavour

Slight and shapely; lovely; graceful.

* circa'' 1603 , (William Shakespeare), ''(Othello) , act II, scene iii, lines 18 and 20–21:

:   She’s a most exquisite lady.…Indeed, she’s a most fresh and delicate creature.

Light, or softly tinted; said of a colour.

a delicate shade of blue

Of exacting tastes and habits; dainty; fastidious.

Highly discriminating or perceptive; refinedly critical; sensitive; exquisite.

a delicate''' taste; a '''delicate ear for music

Affected by slight causes; showing slight changes.

a delicate thermometer