I ne told no deyntee of her love. --Chaucer.
2. That which is delicious or delicate; a delicacy.
That precious nectar may the taste renew Of Eden's
dainties, by our parents lost. --Beau. & Fl.
3. A term of fondness. [Poetic] --B. Jonson.
Usage: These words are here compared as denoting articles of
food. The term delicacy as applied to a nice article
of any kind, and hence to articles of food which are
particularly attractive. Dainty is stronger, and
denotes some exquisite article of cookery. A hotel may
be provided with all the delicacies of the season, and
its table richly covered with dainties.
These delicacies I mean of taste, sight, smell,
herbs, fruits, and flowers, Walks and the melody
of birds. --Milton.
[A table] furnished plenteously with bread, And
dainties, remnants of the last regale. --Cowper.