dain·ty / ˈdāntē/ • adj. (-ti·er, -ti·est) 1. delicately small and pretty.. ∎  (of a person) delicate and graceful. ∎  (of food) particularly good to eat: a dainty morsel.2. fastidious or difficult to please, typically concerning food..• n. (pl. -ties) (usu. dainties) something good to eat; a delicacy.DERIVATIVES: dain·ti·ly / ˈdāntəlē/ adv.dain·ti·ness n.

dainty †honour, esteem; †liking, pleasure; choice or delightful thing, delicacy. XIII. — AN. dainté. OF. daintié, deintié :- L. dignitās, -āt- worthiness, worth, beauty, DIGNITY.
Hence dainty adj. †choice, excellent; pleasing to the taste, of delicate beauty XIV; fastidious XVI.