Ex"qui*site (?), a. [L. exquisitus, p.p. of exquirere to search out; ex out + quarere to seek, search. See Quest.]

1.

Carefully selected or sought out; hence, of distinguishing and surpassing quality; exceedingly nice; delightfully excellent; giving rare satisfaction; as, exquisite workmanship.

Plate of rare device, and jewels Of reach and exquisite form. Shak.

I have no exquisite reason for 't, but I have reason good enough. Shak.

2.

Exceeding; extreme; keen; -- used in a bad or a good sense; as, exquisite pain or pleasure.

3.

Of delicate perception or close and accurate discrimination; not easy to satisfy; exact; nice; fastidious; as, exquisite judgment, taste, or discernment.

His books of Oriental languages, wherein he was exquisite. Fuller.

Syn. -- Nice; delicate; exact; refined; choice; rare; matchless; consummate; perfect.

 

© Webster 1913.


Ex"qui*site, n.

One who manifests an exquisite attention to external appearance; one who is overnice in dress or ornament; a fop; a dandy.

 

© Webster 1913.

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