noun

• (uncountable) The quality of being subtle.
• The quality of being scarcely noticeable or difficult to discern. (of things)
• The quality of being done in a clever way that is not obvious or not direct; the quality of being carefully thought out. (of things)
• The quality of being able to achieve one's aims through clever, delicate or indirect methods. (of people)
• The quality of being able to notice or understand things that are not obvious. (of people)
• (countable) An instance of being subtle, a subtle thing, especially a subtle argument or distinction.
• (countable, historical) An ornate medieval illusion dish or table decoration, especially when made from one thing but crafted to look like another.
• (uncountable, countable, archaic) The quality of being clever in surreptitious or deceitful behaviour; an act or argument that shows this quality.
• (countable, obsolete) A trick that creates a false appearance.
• (uncountable, obsolete) The property of having a low density or thin consistency.
• (uncountable, obsolete) The property of being able to penetrate materials easily.