'delicate-featured' originates from Modern English, formed by combining the adjective 'delicate' and the past-participial adjective-forming element from 'featured' (from 'feature').

'delicate' comes from Latin 'delicatus' meaning 'dainty, delightful', borrowed into English via Old French/Medieval Latin; 'feature' comes from Old French 'faiture'/'feature' (ultimately from Latin 'factura', related to 'facere' to make). The compound 'delicate-featured' is a modern English formation combining these elements to describe facial appearance.

Initially, 'delicate' meant 'dainty' or 'pleasingly fine' and 'feature' referred to a face's parts; combined as 'delicate-featured' the meaning specifically became 'having dainty or finely formed facial features'.