e-x-q-u-i-s-i-t-e
EXQUISITE means extremely beautiful and delicate, showing rare craftsmanship or sensitivity, or intensely felt (as in exquisite pain or pleasure).
25
Points in Scrabble
Base tile values • No multipliers applied
EXQUISITE denotes the highest level of refined beauty, craftsmanship, or sensation. Originally meaning "carefully sought out," it now primarily describes something of consummate excellence, whether in aesthetic beauty, skilled execution, or intensity of feeling. The word carries connotations of rarity and perfection. An exquisite object isn't merely beautiful - it represents the pinnacle of artistry. Exquisite can also describe intense sensations, both pleasurable and painful, emphasizing their acute, refined quality.Dimensions of exquisite:
The word exquisite comes from Latin exquisitus, meaning "carefully sought out," from exquirere "to search out thoroughly." Components: - ex- = "out" (intensive prefix) - quaerere = "to seek, search" The word entered English around 1450, initially meaning "carefully selected" or "choice." The sense evolved from "searched out with care" to "of consummate quality" by the 1570s. The application to intense sensations (both pleasant and painful) developed in the 17th century. The modern association primarily with beauty and refined taste solidified during the Aesthetic Movement of the 19th century.
Refined aesthetic judgment
Exceptional skill in making
Intensely felt suffering
Surrealist collaborative art method
•In medieval times, "exquisite" could describe torture methods as well as beautiful objects
•The word contains both Q (10 points) and X (8 points), making it valuable in Scrabble
•Oscar Wilde was called an "exquisite" - a person of refined tastes to the point of affectation
•Japanese has a similar concept in "iki" - exquisite stylishness with restraint
"The jeweler crafted an exquisite necklace with microscopic attention to detail."
"She felt exquisite joy upon hearing the news of her acceptance."
Adverb
exquisitely
Noun
exquisiteness
Comparative
more exquisite
Superlative
most exquisite
Archaic
exquisitive
Similar length and difficulty words
Total base points: 25 (Scrabble)
Vowels: 5 | Consonants: 4
EXQUISITE is a power play in Scrabble: - Q (10) + X (8) = 18 points in premium letters - 9 letters make it bingo-eligible with 8 tiles - Often built from SITE, QUIT, or QUITE - Position X on double/triple letter scores - Q-U combination is easier to manage than Q alone
Exquisite represents the human pursuit of perfection and refinement. From Japanese tea ceremonies to French haute couture, cultures worldwide have concepts paralleling exquisiteness.
Include both I's
Ends with E
Different meanings - exquisite=beautiful, requisite=required
Explore anagrams and letter combinations from EXQUISITE
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