Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • In a delicate manner, in any sense of that word.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • adverb In a delicate manner.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • adverb In a delicate manner; exquisitely.
  • adverb Tactfully.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • adverb in a delicate manner

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

delicate +‎ -ly

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Examples

  • I had only to say, that -- oh! that I trust implicitly to your brother's honour; but, besides this, it will not be amiss for you to hint, as you know you can delicately -- _delicately_, you understand -- that it is for his interest to leave me to manage every thing.

    Tales and Novels — Volume 05 Maria Edgeworth 1808

  • Peter Morgan's script for Hereafter, which is, as the title delicately implies, about life after death, Clint knew he wanted to make the movie as director, for, save the late excursion of Gran Torino, our hero has now retreated behind the camera.

    Evening Standard - Home 2011

  • He pronounced the word delicately, like it was a chocolate-covered cherry he was taking out of a candy box real careful so he wouldn't break it.

    The Eskimo Rides Shotgun Con Chapman 2011

  • For creative individuals, the siesta proffers a gift basket of ideas with which to consume an hour or so, the least spirited of which, to put it delicately, is the nap.

    Good morning, Melaque: one day in a small Mexico beach town 2009

  • Russia-born illustrator Yulia Brodskaya creates beautiful type treatments in delicately cut and curled three-dimensional paper sculptures.

    Boing Boing 2009

  • For creative individuals, the siesta proffers a gift basket of ideas with which to consume an hour or so, the least spirited of which, to put it delicately, is the nap.

    Good morning, Melaque: one day in a small Mexico beach town 2009

  • Mr. Richards, he explained delicately, is hardly the first player to pick to handle the pressure of a penalty kick.

    Richards Rocking as Red Bulls Roll Joshua Robinson 2010

  • Standing in the camphorous light of the station, the glowing things of civilization all around her, a single silkworm rappels delicately from the ticket kiosk.

    COCOONED • by J.A. Matthews 2009

  • ` And that acquaintanceship, 'he stressed the word delicately, ` gave rise to the challenge you accepted yesterday?'

    Sharpe's Honour Cornwell, Bernard 1985

  • He tasted the name delicately if inaccurately, finding it strange on his tongue.

    The Virgin In The Ice Peters, Ellis, 1913-1995 1982

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