2  definitions  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Fastidious  \Fas*tid"i*ous\,  a.  [L.  fastidiosus  disdainful,  fr 
  fastidium  loathing,  aversion,  perh.  fr  fastus  arrogance  (of 
  uncertain  origin)  +  taedium  loathing.  Cf  {Tedious},  {Fash}.] 
  Difficult  to  please;  delicate  to  a  fault;  suited  with 
  difficulty;  squeamish;  as  a  fastidious  mind  or  ear;  a 
  fastidious  appetite. 
 
  Proud  youth  !  fastidious  of  the  lower  world.  --Young. 
 
  Syn:  Squeamish;  critical;  overnice;  difficult;  punctilious. 
 
 
  Usage:  {Fastidious},  {Squeamish}.  We  call  a  person  fastidious 
  when  his  taste  or  feelings  are  offended  by  trifling 
  defects  or  errors;  we  call  him  squeamish  when  he  is 
  excessively  nice  or  critical  on  minor  points,  and  also 
  when  he  is  overscrupulous  as  to  questions  of  duty. 
  ``Whoever  examines  his  own  imperfections  will  cease  to 
  be  fastidious;  whoever  restrains  his  caprice  and 
  scrupulosity  will  cease  to  be  squeamish.''  --Crabb.  -- 
  {Fas*tid"i*ous*ly},  adv  --  {Fas*tid"i*ous*ness},  n. 
 
  From  WordNet  r  1.6  [wn]: 
 
  fastidiousness 
  n  :  the  trait  of  being  meticulous  about  matters  of  taste  or 
  style;  "neatness  and  fastidiousness  of  dress" 

browse words by letter
a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z