What is the origin of the word 'exquisite'?

Answer 1

early 15c., "carefully selected," from L. exquisitus"carefully sought out," thus, "choice," from pp. of exquirere "search out thoroughly," from ex- "out" (see ex-) + quaerere "to seek" (see query). Of any thing (good or bad, torture as well as art) brought to a highly wrought condition, sometimes shading into disapproval. A vogue word 15c.-18c., given wide extensions of meaning, none of which survive. The main modern sense of "of consummate and delightful excellence" is first attested 1579, in Lyly's "Euphues." Related: Exquisitely; exquisiteness. The noun meaning "a dandy, fop" is from 1819.

Answer 2

Exquisite (pronounced EX-kwizit) derives from the past participle of the Latin exquaerere, to seek out