to make dainty

1 definition found

to make dainty - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Dainty \Dain"ty\, a. [Compar. Daintier; superl. Daintiest.]
     1. Rare; valuable; costly. [Obs.]
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Full many a deynt['e] horse had he in stable.
                                                    --Chaucer.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: Hence the proverb "dainty maketh dearth," i. e., rarity
           makes a thing dear or precious.
           [1913 Webster]
  
     2. Delicious to the palate; toothsome.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Dainty bits
              Make rich the ribs.                   --Shak.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. Nice; delicate; elegant, in form, manner, or breeding;
        well-formed; neat; tender.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Those dainty limbs which nature lent
              For gentle usage and soft delicacy.   --Milton.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              I would be the girdle.
              About her dainty, dainty waist.       --Tennyson.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     4. Requiring dainties. Hence: Overnice; hard to please;
        fastidious; squeamish; scrupulous; ceremonious.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Thew were a fine and dainty people.   --Bacon.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              And let us not be dainty of leave-taking,
              But shift away.                       --Shak.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     To make dainty, to assume or affect delicacy or
        fastidiousness. [Obs.]
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Ah ha, my mistresses! which of you all
              Will now deny to dance? She that makes dainty,
              She, I'll swear, hath corns.          --Shak.
        [1913 Webster]