Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “dainty” come from?

Dainty comes from Middle English deynte, from Old French deintié, from Latin dignitatem meaning "worthiness" or "dignity."

dainty (English): A delicacy; Esteem, honour; A fancy cookie,...

Definitions

  1. A delicacy; Esteem, honour; A fancy cookie,...

Ancestry of “dainty”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Middle Englishdeynte—
2Old Frenchdeintié—
3Latindignitatemaccusative singular of dignitās

Words derived from “dainty”

  • daintily
  • daintiness
  • undainty
  • superdainty
  • daintify
  • daintrel
Every word from Latin dignitatem →