Lexic.us

Definition of Indelicate

1. Adjective. In violation of good taste even verging on the indecent. "An off-color joke"

2. Adjective. Lacking propriety and good taste in manners and conduct. "Indecorous behavior"

3. Adjective. Verging on the indecent. "An indelicate proposition"

Definition of Indelicate

1. a. Not delicate; wanting delicacy; offensive to good manners, or to purity of mind; coarse; rude; as, an indelicate word or suggestion; indelicate behavior.

Definition of Indelicate

1. Adjective. Improper or immodest. ¹

2. Adjective. Coarse or tasteless. ¹

3. Adjective. Tactless or undiplomatic. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Indelicate

1. [adj]

Lexicographical Neighbors of Indelicate

indehiscences indehiscent indel indelable indelectable indeliberate indeliberated indeliberately indelibilities indelibility

indelible indelible ink indelibly indelicacies indelicacy indelicate (current term) indelicately indelicateness indeloxazine indels

indelve indemnifications indemnified indemnifier indemnifiers indemnifies indemnify indemnifying indemnitee

Literary usage of Indelicate

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. The Verbalist: A Manual Devoted to Brief Discussions of the Right and Wrong by Alfred Ayres (1882)
"This adjective and its synonyms, indecent and indelicate, are often used ... It is indelicate for any one to obtrude himself upon another's retirement. ..."

2. The Life of Thomas Jefferson by Henry Stephens Randall (1871)
"... continuance in Office—Hamilton's charge that such continuance was indelicate—Their respective "Opposition" to the President Examined—Jefferson's Notice ..."

3. Hawthorne and His Circle by Julian Hawthorne (1903)
"... redbreast—A sad and weary old man—"Most indelicate woman I've ever known"—Perfectly chaste—Something human stirred dimly—"She loves me; she loves me! ..."

4. Literature in Letters, Or, Manners, Art, Criticism, Biography, History, and by James Philemon Holcombe (1866)
"WHAT IS indelicate IN A FEMALE AUTHOR ? Joanna Baillie to Miss Berry. HAMPSTEAD, June 9th, 1828. MY DEAR FRIEND : The mention of one friend's book naturally ..."

5. Journal of a Residence and Tour in the United States of North America: From by Edward Strutt Abdy (1835)
"indelicate Delicacy— Heterodox Marriages. — History of James Forten.—Fair Mount Water-works—Hospital.—Penitentiary. I WAS very fortunate, ..."

6. The Medical and Surgical Reporter (1881)
"... with astonishment and aversion, as, at the least, indelicate!" Does this statement, uniformly made by all our authorities, accord with your experience? ..."

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