delicacy
n. C / Un. a rare or expensive food that people consider very special to eat. It can also mean doing something with great care and skill so you do not break anything or hurt anyone's feelings.
n. a choice or expensive food item considered highly desirable within a specific culture; also refers to fineness of texture or the quality of requiring sensitive handling.
In some countries, snails are considered a great delicacy.
The diplomat handled the sensitive negotiations with great delicacy to avoid offending either side.
The chef prepared the blowfish with extreme delicacy, aware that even a minor slip of the knife could release lethal toxins into the meat.
From Middle English delicacie, from Middle English delicat, from Latin delicatus. Equivalent to delicate + -cy.
Countable when referring to specific types of food; uncountable when referring to the quality of being delicate or sensitive.