In the following English spelling question, four vocabulary items are given as alternatives. Three of these words follow standard English spelling conventions, while one word contains an incorrect spelling. Carefully examine each option and select the word that is spelled incorrectly.

Introduction / Context:
This question focuses on identifying an incorrectly spelled English word among four advanced vocabulary options. Such spelling questions are common in competitive exams and language proficiency tests because they check the candidate's familiarity with standard dictionary spellings and their exposure to written English. The four words look similar and share some Latin based roots, so test takers must rely on both memory and pattern recognition to find the single incorrect spelling.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- Four spellings are provided as options: Delinate, Delirious, Desecration, and Detrimental.
- Exactly one of these words is spelled incorrectly.
- We assume standard English usage as found in reliable dictionaries and formal writing.
- The meanings of the words relate to description, mental state, disrespect, and harm respectively, but the focus here is on spelling, not meaning.

Concept / Approach:
The key concept is to compare each option with the correct dictionary spelling. The verb that means to describe or outline something clearly is spelled "delineate", not "delinate". Words like "delirious", "desecration", and "detrimental" are well established in English, and their spellings are relatively fixed. Recognising common prefixes and suffixes, such as "de", "dese", and "mental", and knowing how vowels appear in the central syllables, helps in identifying the odd one out.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Consider option A, "Delinate". If we recall the correct verb, it means to sketch or outline clearly, and the proper spelling is "delineate" with the sequence "eline" in the middle. Step 2: Look at option B, "Delirious". This word describes a state of mental confusion or wild excitement and is correctly spelled as "delirious". Step 3: Evaluate option C, "Desecration". This noun refers to the act of treating something sacred with disrespect. The spelling with "desecration" is standard. Step 4: Examine option D, "Detrimental". It is an adjective meaning harmful or damaging and is correctly spelled. Step 5: Since only option A departs from the known spelling "delineate", "Delinate" is the incorrect spelling.

Verification / Alternative check:
To verify, imagine reading formal English texts where these words commonly occur. Phrases like "delineate the plan", "desecration of a temple", "detrimental effects", and "delirious with joy" all follow the standard spellings given in options B, C, and D. When we mentally spell "delineate", we notice that the syllable pattern is "de-li-ne-ate", which cannot be reduced to "delinate". This mental cross check confirms that "Delinate" is not an accepted spelling in standard usage.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Again, "wrong" here means wrong as choices for the incorrect spelling.
- "Delirious" is spelled correctly and frequently appears in both literature and news articles, so it is not the incorrect option.
- "Desecration" is a standard noun form built from "desecrate" and is correctly spelled.
- "Detrimental" correctly expresses the meaning "harmful" and matches dictionary spelling, so it is not the answer.

Common Pitfalls:
Candidates often misread or mentally rearrange vowels in words that are less familiar, especially those derived from Latin. Because "delineate" is not used as often in everyday conversation, the wrong variant "delinate" can appear convincing in a fast-paced exam setting. Some learners may also assume that if a word sounds similar when pronounced quickly, the exact order of vowels does not matter. To avoid this, students should build a habit of reading widely and noticing spellings in high quality texts, rather than relying only on phonetic guesses.

Final Answer:
The incorrectly spelled word is Delinate, which should be spelled "delineate" in standard English.