subtlety

noun sub·tle·ty \ˈsə-t^əl-tē\

: the quality or state of being subtle

: a small detail that is usually important but not obvious

plural sub·tle·ties

Full Definition of SUBTLETY

: the quality or state of being subtle

: something subtle

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Middle English sotilte, subtilte, from Anglo-French sotilté, from Latin subtilitat-, subtilitas, from subtilis

First Known Use: 14th century

Synonyms: artfulness, artifice, caginess (also cageyness), canniness, craft, craftiness, cunningness, deviousness, foxiness, guile, guilefulness, slickness, slyness, sneakiness, subtleness, cunning, wiliness

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