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. [ 1913 Webster ] Plate of rare device, and jewels Of reach and exquisite form. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ] I have no exquisite reason for 't, but I have reason good enough. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. Exceeding; extreme; keen; -- used in a bad or a good sense; as, exquisite pain or pleasure. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. Of delicate perception or close and accurate discrimination; not easy to satisfy; exact; nice; fastidious; as, exquisite judgment, taste, or discernment. [ 1913 Webster ] His books of Oriental languages, wherein he was exquisite. Fuller. Syn. -- Nice; delicate; exact; refined; choice; rare; matchless; consummate; perfect. [ 1913 Webster ] |