Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Dainty \Dain"ty\, n.; pl. {Dainties}. [OE. deinie, dainte,
   deintie, deyntee, OF. deinti['e] delicacy, orig., dignity,
   honor, fr. L. dignitas, fr. dignus worthy. See {Deign}, and
   cf. {Dignity}.]
   1. Value; estimation; the gratification or pleasure taken in
      anything. [Obs.]

            I ne told no deyntee of her love.     --Chaucer.

   2. That which is delicious or delicate; a delicacy.

            That precious nectar may the taste renew Of Eden's
            dainties, by our parents lost.        --Beau. & Fl.

   3. A term of fondness. [Poetic] --B. Jonson.

   Syn: {Dainty}, {Delicacy}.

   Usage: These words are here compared as denoting articles of
          food. The term delicacy as applied to a nice article
          of any kind, and hence to articles of food which are
          particularly attractive. Dainty is stronger, and
          denotes some exquisite article of cookery. A hotel may
          be provided with all the delicacies of the season, and
          its table richly covered with dainties.

                These delicacies I mean of taste, sight, smell,
                herbs, fruits, and flowers, Walks and the melody
                of birds.                         --Milton.

                [A table] furnished plenteously with bread, And
                dainties, remnants of the last regale. --Cowper.