Ex"qui*site (?), 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.
Plate of rare device, and jewels
Of reach and exquisite form.
Shak.
I have no exquisite reason for 't, but I have reason good enough.
Shak.
2.
Exceeding; extreme; keen; -- used in a bad or a good sense; as, exquisite pain or pleasure.
3.
Of delicate perception or close and accurate discrimination; not easy to satisfy; exact; nice; fastidious; as, exquisite judgment, taste, or discernment.
His books of Oriental languages, wherein he was exquisite.
Fuller.
Syn. -- Nice; delicate; exact; refined; choice; rare; matchless; consummate; perfect.
© Webster 1913.
Ex"qui*site, n.
One who manifests an exquisite attention to external appearance; one who is overnice in dress or ornament; a fop; a dandy.
© Webster 1913.