Word Finder - subtlety

definition

The quality of being subtle.

definition

An instance of being subtle, a subtle thing, especially a subtle argument or distinction.

example

The subtleties of this overture are often overlooked.

synonyms

• nicety
• nuance

definition

An ornate medieval illusion dish or table decoration, especially when made from one thing but crafted to look like another.

example

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

definition

The quality of being clever in surreptitious or deceitful behaviour; an act or argument that shows this quality.

synonyms

• artifice
• craftiness
• cunning
• deceitfulness
• slyness
• trickery

definition

A trick that creates a false appearance.

synonyms

• deception
• illusion

definition

The property of having a low density or thin consistency.

definition

The property of being able to penetrate materials easily.

synonyms

• penetrancy
• piercingness

It is, in fact, important rather as a rhetorcial subtlety than as a serious argu ment.

He preferred the direct approach over any form of subtlety.

With perfect subtlety Bonaparte worked on the feelings of all and kept his own intentions secret.

No amount of subtlety will remove the difference between a categorical judgment of existence, e.g.

It is compelled to accept its first principles on trust from the science in which it is employed; it cannot cope with the subtlety of nature; and it is radically vitiated by being founded on hastily and inaccurately abstracted notions of things.

Once you're inside, the chef whips up your food with all the subtlety of a typhoon.

Rhyn was trying to be casual about it, but the half-demon had never asked Gabe for anything and was incapable of subtlety.

My general view is that the book's strength lies in the range and subtlety of the examples cited in developing argumentation.

The Cuban airport baggage handlers are not renown for their subtlety!

Many vodka drinkers prefer the subtlety of the flavor of a shaken drink.

He owed the signal successes of his reign partly to his skilful choice of advisers and administrators, to his chancellors Jean and Guillaume de Dormans and Pierre d'Orgemont, to Hugues Aubriot, provost of Paris, Bureau de la Riviere and others; partly to a singular coolness and subtlety in the exercise of a not over-scrupulous diplomacy, which made him a dangerous enemy.

The lack of subtlety does not befit such fine tunes.

The script was utterly devoid of wit, subtlety, or humor.

I found this novel incredibly refreshing; Walsh has treated the subject with subtlety and clarity.

He sees the subtlety of the devil's schemes.

Finally, music at its best will help the audience understand the delicate subtlety of the storyline - the subtext.

There is much more metaphysical subtlety in the word " damn " than in the word " degeneration.

He captures the man's gradual change from confident and capable to wiser and conflicted with extraordinary subtlety.

In true Banachek style, each move, gesture and psychological subtlety is covered in detail.

Added pleasures are a biting wit, a sly subtlety and a merciless eye for social satire.

With a surface gloss of Greek education, he united the subtlety, the superstition, and the obstinate endurance of an Oriental.

And, though it was precisely in his fine-spun subtlety that he departed furthest from scientific method and practical utility, it was this very quality which seems in the end to have secured his popularity and established his pre-eminence in the medical world.

In this conception of nature are united the conceptions of law and order, of ever-changing life and interdependence, of immensity, individuality, and all-pervading subtlety, under which the universe is apprehended both by his intelligence and his imagination.

His flair for the essentials in his problem, his subtlety of analysis, his patient willingness to return upon a difficulty from a fresh and still a fresh point of view, and finally his fineness of judgment, make his logic 2 so essentially logic of the present, and of its kind not soon to be superseded, that nothing more than an indication of the historical significance of some of its characteristic features need be attempted here.

He sees the subtlety of the devil 's schemes.

In other words, the beauty is ironic, albeit done with sledgehammer subtlety.

Detail is excellent and subtlety of tones in skin, highlights, and shadows is well rendered.

Under comparison, the " Photo " did n't have anything like the subtlety of colors that either of the higher settings had.

It is entirely possible to have mild gluten allergy and not realize it because of the subtlety of your symptoms.

Adept as she was in the most exquisite delicacy of dissimulation, the most salient note of her original disposition was daring rather than subtlety.

What is interesting is the subtlety of relationship which emerged between the two.

Neither Mash nor Tammy have quite the subtlety of character that makes the other characters so appealing.

Here the choir of Selwyn, Cambridge really bring out the heart and the subtlety of this remarkable music.

Remember that subtlety is stylish; you do n't want to come across as overpowering with your theme.

He captures the man 's gradual change from confident and capable to wiser and conflicted with extraordinary subtlety.

In short, there are many imaginative touches, and interpretative subtlety in abundance.

The sum total of these characteristics suggested that this kind of activity required subtlety, creativity and a great deal of thought and planning.

Or, since you're 14, you could be really sneaky, have a mutual friend very subtlety tell your friend that you like him, and see what he does about it.

Sheet music, and the notes represented on the sheet, can display the kind of dynamics and a subtlety in playing that tablature is not able to represent.

It has all the subtlety of the top growth French wines as well as their strength. 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon.

There is a lengthy finish without much subtlety.

Boxed wines lack the finesse and subtlety of a well-aged wine.

While a classic, generic "apple" scent is always popular, more specialized scents can give apple candles more subtlety and variety.

You may choose to use different shades of green to add subtlety, such as emerald for St. Patrick's Day or deep forest color for Christmas.

When it comes to social skill, subtlety is the key.

However, while these kinds of signals can be maddening in their subtlety, other ways men flirt are even stranger.

Moreover, eyelet dresses and outlandish get-ups may also detract from the subtlety of Tod's merchandise.

A small Celtic cross tattoo is a popular choice due to its subtlety.

So you want the coverage of briefs alongside the subtlety of a g-string, and you aren't willing to sacrifice either of these features?

The subtlety of the movement in the paintings on the walls, however, more than makes up for the fact that the spirits look no better than the specters you see in the Ghostbuster movies.