Delicates is a plural form of the word delicate, which means something fragile or easily broken. Its spelling is influenced by the Latin root delicatus, which means pleasing or delightful. The word is pronounced /ˈdɛl.ɪ.kəts/, with the stress on the second syllable (/ɪ/). The tricky part in spelling is the ending, which is spelled -ates instead of -etics. This is because the word is derived from the Latin delicatus, and the suffix -atus is used to form the plural of some Latin nouns.
Delicates refers to items of clothing or fabric that require delicate handling or special care during cleaning or laundering due to their delicate nature. These are typically garments made from delicate fabrics such as silk, lace, chiffon, or cashmere, which are more prone to damage, shrinking, or warping under harsh conditions.
In the context of laundry, delicates are often placed in a separate load or washed individually using a gentle cycle and mild detergent. This ensures minimal agitation and prevents the delicate fabrics from getting tangled or damaged by the rigorous movements of a regular washing machine cycle. Delicates may also need to be hand-washed, depending on the specific care instructions provided by the manufacturer.
Similarly, when it comes to drying delicates, extra caution is required. Many delicate items cannot be machine-dried and should be air-dried instead. This prevents shrinkage or distortion. Some even require laying flat to dry in order to maintain their shape.
As a noun, delicates can also refer to the specific assortment of undergarments and other clothing items that are considered delicate or of a more intimate nature. This can include women's lingerie, underwear, hosiery, and other similarly delicate items.
Overall, the term delicates refers to both the specific type of clothing or fabric that requires careful handling during cleaning and laundering, as well as the category of more intimate and delicate clothing items.
The word "delicates" comes from the French word "délicat", which was derived from the Latin word "delicatus". In Latin, "delicatus" means "pleasing", "pleasurable", or "delightful". Over time, it evolved in French to mean "delicate" or "fine". The plural form, "delicates", is used to refer to delicate or fine things, often specifically used in the context of delicate fabrics or garments, such as lingerie or other intimate clothing items.