exquisite
Definitions
Extremely beautiful and delicately made
精致的，精美的
(of pain or pleasure) intensely felt; acute
（痛苦或愉悦）强烈的，剧烈的
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedex- (out) + quis (the quaerere 'seek' stem) + -ite = 'sought out.' Something searched for so carefully that it is choice and refined — hence 'exquisite craftsmanship.' A surprising side sense: 'exquisite pain' uses the 'carefully picked out' idea to mean intense, sharply singled-out feeling.
Root quest still carries 9 more wordsWhy It Means This
Exquisite shows how 'seeking' can become 'beauty.' What is sought out with the greatest care is, by implication, the finest. Over time the 'searching' faded and only the 'finest' remained, which is why exquisite now simply means delicately perfect — and, by a twist, can describe pain so finely sharp it feels singled out.
Common Collocations
- 1.exquisite detail精致的细节
- 2.exquisite craftsmanship精湛的工艺
- 3.exquisite beauty绝美
- 4.exquisite taste高雅的品味
Example Sentences
- 1.
She wore an exquisite silk gown embroidered with gold.
- 2.
The meal was prepared with exquisite attention to detail.
- 3.
He felt an exquisite sense of relief when the news came.