/sut"l tee/ , n. , pl. subtleties .
1. the state or quality of being subtle.
2. delicacy or nicety of character or meaning.
3. acuteness or penetration of mind; delicacy of discrimination.
4. a fine-drawn distinction; refinement of reasoning: the subtleties of logic.
5. something subtle.
6. Hist. an elaborate confection, ornate in construction and ornamentation, sometimes edible but more often made and used as a decoration for a table or buffet.
[ 1300-50; ME subtelte, sutilte sutilte subtilitat- (s. of subtilitas ) fineness, equiv. to subtili ( s ) SUBTILE + -tat- -TY 2 ]