subtlety
pronunciation
How to pronounce subtlety in British English:
UK [ˈsʌtlti]
How to pronounce subtlety in American English:
US [ˈsʌtlti]
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- Noun:
- a subtle difference in meaning or opinion or attitude
- the quality of being difficult to detect or analyze
Word Origin
- subtlety (n.)
- c. 1300, sotilte, "skill, ingenuity," from Old French sotilte "skillfulness, cunning" (Modern French subtilité), from Latin subtilitatem (nominative subtilitas) "fineness; simplicity, slenderness," noun of quality from subtilis "fine, thin, delicate" (see subtle). From late 14c. as "cleverness, shrewdness; trickery, guile, craftiness," also "thinness, slenderness, smallness; rarity." The -b- begins to appear late 14c. in English, in imitation of Latin.
Example
- 1. America 's response should mix military strength with diplomatic subtlety .
- 2. Even everyday english is a language of subtlety , nuance and complexity .
- 3. English also has few of the diminutives that add subtlety to slavic social interchange .
- 4. There are many situations where nuance , subtlety , and carefully crafted diplomacy in communications are critical .
- 5. Given the depth of chinese nationalism , it is unlikely that these would be treated with subtlety or sensitivity .