subtlety Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a subtle difference in meaning or opinion or attitude
    nicety; refinement; nuance; shade.
    • without understanding the finer nuances you can't enjoy the humor
    • don't argue about shades of meaning
  2. noun the quality of being difficult to detect or analyze
    niceness.
    • you had to admire the subtlety of the distinctions he drew

WordNet

Sub"tle*ty noun
Etymology
OE. sotelte, sutilte, OF. sotillete, L. subtilitas. See Subtle, and cf. Subtility.
Wordforms
plural Subtleties
Definitions
  1. The quality or state of being subtle, or sly; cunning; craftiness; artfulness.
    The fox which lives by subtlety. Shak.
  2. Nice discernment with delicacy of mental action; nicety of discrimination.
  3. Something that is sly, crafty, or delusive.
    Unlearned in the world's false subtleties. Shak.

Webster 1913