delicate

adjective

1. 1

   exquisitely fine and subtle and pleasing; susceptible to injury

   a delicate violin passage

   delicate china

2. 2

   easily broken or damaged or destroyed

   a kite too delicate to fly safely

   fragile porcelain plates

3. 3

   difficult to handle; requiring great tact

   delicate negotiations with the big powers

   hesitates to be explicit on so ticklish a matter

4. 4

   developed with extreme delicacy and subtlety

   the satire touches with finespun ridicule every kind of human pretense

5. 5

   of an instrument or device; capable of registering minute differences or changes precisely

   almost undetectable with even the most delicate instruments

6. 6

   marked by great skill especially in meticulous technique

   a surgeon's delicate touch

7. 7

   easily hurt

   soft hands

   a baby's delicate skin