See Also: subtlety(dictionary)
subtlety(dictionary)

subtlety (iou)



subtlety noun. Also (long arch.) subtilty. ME.
[Old French s(o)utilte from Latin subtilitas, from subtilis: see SUBTLE, -TY1. Cf. SUBTILTY.]
The quality or state of being subtle. ME.
R. Davies The vice of the literary mind is excessive subtlety. A. S. Byatt Sea food,..with sauces whose subtlety required and defied analysis.
An instance of this. Now esp., a subtle argument; a fine distinction. LME.
Milton A mystery indeed in their Sophistic Subtilties, but in Scripture a plain Doctrin. A. Taylor Gesture,..eye contact and other subtleties of body language.
Hist. An ornamental table decoration, usu. made of sugar and sometimes eaten. LME.