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# in a delicate condition

phrase (prepositional phrase: be in a delicate condition)

«in a delicate condition» in the English dictionary: in the primary school — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## In the primary school

Source: Mova's pupils' dictionary. Licence: [Elamur Cosmic License](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/docs/LICENSE/). Reviewed: the dictionary the pupils of Mova's primary school read; its examples quote the lessons and public-domain tales. Ships with Mova.

### Meaning

1. (euphemism, old-fashioned) pregnant.
2. (literal) weak, easily hurt or broken, of a thing or a person's health.

### In the lessons

Used in older books and by older people to speak about pregnancy politely, as if it were not quite proper to say the plain word. Today it sounds old-fashioned or jokey. Register: old-fashioned, polite; all regions.

### Examples

- In the old novel, the maid whispers that the lady is in a delicate condition.
- Great-Grandma said Aunt Rose was «in a delicate condition».
- Joking: She can't lift the boxes, she's in a delicate condition!
- The old painting is in a delicate condition and must not be touched.
- After the illness his heart was in a delicate condition.
- The doctor said the patient was in a delicate condition and needed rest.

### Note

Watch the context: about a woman in an old story it usually means pregnant; about things or health it means fragile. Using it today may sound funny or stiff. Plain word: pregnant.