Subtlety

/ˈsʌt(ə)lti/ · noun

Meaning

(uncountable) The quality of being subtle..

Definitions by Sense

1. (uncountable) The quality of being subtle.
2. (countable) An instance of being subtle, a subtle thing, especially a subtle argument or distinction.
3. (countable, historical) An ornate medieval illusion dish or table decoration, especially when made from one thing but crafted to look like another.
4. (uncountable, countable, archaic) The quality of being clever in surreptitious or deceitful behaviour; an act or argument that shows this quality.
5. (countable, obsolete) A trick that creates a false appearance.
6. (uncountable, obsolete) The property of having a low density or thin consistency.
7. (uncountable, obsolete) The property of being able to penetrate materials easily.

Example Sentences

The subtleties of this overture are often overlooked.

1561, William Whittingham et al. (translators), Geneva Bible, Wisdom of Solomon 8.8, [S]he [Wisdom] knoweth the subtilties of wordes, and the solutions of darke sentences:

For I, and no doubt You, have long obſerved, that thoſe Dialectical ſubtleties, that the Schoolmen too often employ about Phyſiological Myſteries, are vvont much more to declare the vvit of him that uſes them, then increaſe the knovvledge or remove the doubts of ſober lovers of truth. And such captious ſubtleties do indeed often puzzle and ſometimes ſilence men, but rarely ſatisfy them.

It is your turn now […] to support your philosophical subtilties against the dictates of plain reason and experience.

She could not explain the subtleties of her feeling as clearly as he could state his opinion, even though she had skill in speech, and her father had none.

His body was as insensitive to pain as was his mind to subtleties.

Most cinema signposts everything and—to quote the phrase apocryphically ^([sic]) attributed to Billy Wilder—makes everything obvious, especially the subtleties.

At the king's coronation feast, several subtleties were served between main courses.

Synonyms for subtlety

Antonyms for subtlety

Related Words

Word Forms

• subtleties
• subtilty

Usage Notes

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