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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Racy \Ra"cy\ (r[=a]"s[y^]), a. [Compar. {Racier}
(r[=a]"s[i^]*[~e]r); superl. {Raciest}.] [From {Race} a
tribe, family.]
1. Having a strong flavor indicating origin; of distinct
characteristic taste; tasting of the soil; hence, fresh;
rich.
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The racy wine,
Late from the mellowing cask restored to light.
--Pope.
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2. Hence: Exciting to the mental taste by a strong or
distinctive character of thought or language; peculiar and
piquant; fresh and lively; vigorous; spirited.
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Our raciest, most idiomatic popular words. --M.
Arnold.
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Burns's English, though not so racy as his Scotch,
is generally correct. --H.
Coleridge.
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The rich and racy humor of a natural converser fresh
from the plow. --Prof.
Wilson.
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3. Somewhat suggestive of sexual themes; slightly improper;
risqu['e].
[PJC]

Syn: Spicy; spirited; lively; smart; piquant; risqu['e].

Usage: {Racy}, {Spicy}. Racy refers primarily to that
peculiar flavor which certain wines are supposed to
derive from the soil in which the grapes were grown;
and hence we call a style or production racy when it
"smacks of the soil," or has an uncommon degree of
natural freshness and distinctiveness of thought and
language. Spicy, when applied to style, has reference
to a spirit and pungency added by art, seasoning the
matter like a condiment. It does not, like racy,
suggest native peculiarity. A spicy article in a
magazine; a spicy retort. Racy in conversation; a racy
remark.
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Rich, racy verses, in which we
The soil from which they come, taste, smell, and
see. --Cowley.
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