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Usenet Posted 23 years ago
Usage
Delicate
I understand the meaning of word is dependent on the context, so please forgive me ask you a question in this way.
The word "delicately", adverbial form of delicate appears in the following excerpt.
"Lucky," she said lighting a fresh cigarette from her old one. She delicately put the butt into a silver ashtray, as large as a birdbath, that rested on a mother-of-pearl table near her.
Is it wrong if I interpret the "delicately" as meaning carefully?
I guess the word delicate means careful or gentle when modifying the manner of action or movement.
The word "delicately", adverbial form of delicate appears in the following excerpt.
"Lucky," she said lighting a fresh cigarette from her old one. She delicately put the butt into a silver ashtray, as large as a birdbath, that rested on a mother-of-pearl table near her.
Is it wrong if I interpret the "delicately" as meaning carefully?
I guess the word delicate means careful or gentle when modifying the manner of action or movement.
Top answer
english: [nq:1]I understand the meaning of word is dependent on the context, so please forgive me ask you a question in ... as meaning carefully? [/nq] Delicate has a range of meanings including fastidious, tactful, refined (in manner), and sensitive.
- english: [nq:1]I understand the meaning of word is dependent on the context, so please forgive me ask you a question in ...
- as meaning carefully?
- [/nq] Delicate has a range of meanings including fastidious, tactful, refined (in manner), and sensitive.
- Lighting one cigarette from another is not a delicate act, so the use of delicate here is meant to draw and ironic contrast between that act and her putting out the old cigarette in the silver ashtray.
- The implication is she is a crude or vulgar person in opulent surroundings.
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3 Answers
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In our last episode,
(Email Removed),
the lovely and talented masahiko
broadcast on alt.usage.english:
[nq:1]I understand the meaning of word is dependent on the context, so please forgive me ask you a question in ... as meaning carefully? I guess the word delicate means careful or gentle when modifying the manner of action or movement.[/nq]
Delicate has a range of meanings inc
(Email Removed),
the lovely and talented masahiko
broadcast on alt.usage.english:
[nq:1]I understand the meaning of word is dependent on the context, so please forgive me ask you a question in ... as meaning carefully? I guess the word delicate means careful or gentle when modifying the manner of action or movement.[/nq]
Delicate has a range of meanings inc
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[nq:1]I understand the meaning of word is dependent on the context, so please forgive me ask you a question in ... as meaning carefully? I guess the word delicate means careful or gentle when modifying the manner of action or movement.[/nq]
Yes, I think that is a reasonable definition. It suggests handling small things in a precise and graceful way.
Best wishes Donna Richoux
Yes, I think that is a reasonable definition. It suggests handling small things in a precise and graceful way.
Best wishes Donna Richoux
00
[nq:2]I understand the meaning of word is dependent on the ... or gentle when modifying the manner of action or movement.[/nq]
[nq:1]Yes, I think that is a reasonable definition. It suggests handling small things in a precise and graceful way.[/nq]
Yes, and I'd say that lighting a cigarette from the **** of another merely points to the fact that she is a chain-smoker. All sorts of people d
[nq:1]Yes, I think that is a reasonable definition. It suggests handling small things in a precise and graceful way.[/nq]
Yes, and I'd say that lighting a cigarette from the **** of another merely points to the fact that she is a chain-smoker. All sorts of people d
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