over-delicate

[4790] Alcibiades was still dallying with wanton young women, immoderate in his expenses, effeminate in his apparel, ever in love, but why? he was over-delicate in his diet, too frequent and excessive in banquets, Ubicunque securitas, ibi libido dominatur; lust and security domineer together, as St. Hierome averreth.

Anatomy of Melancholy 2007

I mentioned to Dr Johnson the over-delicate scrupulosity of our host.

Journal of a Tour to the Hebrides 2006

Ashley quietly plumps for an Arthur based in Gwent or Powys, but argues that Geoffrey's "Arthur" is a composite of five or six British leaders with mythic elements from Alfred and Aethelstan, and constructs a perhaps over-delicate genealogical lattice-work with which to argue that the victory at Badon was a coalition victory under a king of Dyfed named Agricola or Aircol, with one Vortipor/Gwerthefyr as the primary commander and possible "dux bellorum."

Kenneth Hite's Journal princeofcairo 2005

The water tasted of the peat of the moors, nevertheless I drank greedily of it, for one must not be over-delicate upon the moors.

Wild Wales : Its People, Language and Scenery 2004

Mr. Bronte was faithful in visiting the sick and all those who sent for him, and diligent in attendance at the schools; and so was his daughter Charlotte too; but, cherishing and valuing privacy themselves, they were perhaps over-delicate in not intruding upon the privacy of others.

The Life of Charlotte Bronte 2002

John C. C.lhoun he looked upon as "a smart fellow, one of the first amongst second-rate men, but of lax political principles and an inordinate ambition, not over-delicate in the means of satisfying itself."

Albert Gallatin American Statesmen Series, Vol. XIII John Austin Stevens

It is true that the good lady adds, -- 'Do it in moderation; since, if every day you are washing yourself and your clothes, the world will say you are over-delicate; and particular people will call you -- TAPETZON TINEMAXOCH!'

The International Monthly, Volume 3, No. 1, April, 1851 Various

Nor does this very busy old lady seem over-delicate about which of the belles she associates with the parson, so long as the scandal be fashionable enough to afford her a good traffic.

An Outcast or, Virtue and Faith

And, bearing these insignia of vulgarity, he looked more than ever pathetic and over-delicate.

The Dark House 1922

Life that is over-delicate and remote through something unbalanced in the mind is not life but decay.

William Shakespeare John Masefield 1922