English-Dutch translations for subtlety

• raffinement
• subtiliteit
  Ik stel voor om in onze diplomatieke betrekkingen blijk te geven van subtiliteit. I propose that we use subtlety in our diplomatic relations.
  Subtiliteit komt in de politiek zelden voor, maar dat weerhoudt mij er niet van om dit voor te stellen. In politics, subtlety is rare, but I am suggesting it all the same.
  Ik heb geen tijd om enige linguïstische of analytische subtiliteit aan de dag te leggen in verband met mijn tweede punt. I do not have the time to develop any kind of linguistic or analytical subtlety on my next point.

Definition of subtlety

• The quality of being subtle
• An instance of being subtle, a subtle thing, especially a subtle argument or distinction
• An ornate medieval illusion dish or table decoration, especially when made from one thing but crafted to look like another
• The quality of being clever in surreptitious or deceitful behaviour; an act or argument that shows this quality
• A trick that creates a false appearance
• The property of having a low density or thin consistency
• The property of being able to penetrate materials easily

Examples

• the subtlety of the Mona Lisa’s smile
• the subtlety of a writer’s analysis / of a singer’s phrasing
• With all his usual subtlety, he quietly fixed the problem before anyone else noticed it.
• The subtleties of this overture are often overlooked
• At the kings coronation feast, several subtleties were served between main courses.

Related words

• subtle
• subtly
• subtleness