De‐li″cious (?), a. [OF. delicieus, F. délicieux, L. deliciosus, fr. deliciae delight, fr. delicere to allure. See Delight.] 1. Affording exquisite pleasure; delightful; most sweet or grateful to the senses, especially to the taste; charming.
Some delicious landscape. Coleridge.
One draught of spring's delicious air. Keble.
Were not his words delicious? Tennyson.
2. Addicted to pleasure; seeking enjoyment; luxurious; effeminate.
Others, lastly, of a more delicious and airy spirit, retire themselves to the enjoyments of ease and luxury. Milton.
Syn. — Delicious, Delightful. Delicious refers to the pleasure derived from certain of the senses, particularly the taste and smell; as, delicious food; a delicious fragrance. Delightful may also refer to most of the senses (as, delightful music; a delightful prospect; delightful sensations), but has a higher application to matters of taste, feeling, and sentiment; as, a delightful abode, conversation, employment; delightful scenes, etc.
Like the rich fruit he sings, delicious in decay. Smith.
No spring, nor summer, on the mountain seen,
Smiles with gay fruits or with delightful green. Addison.