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Delicacy vs Subtlety - What's the difference?

delicacy | subtlety |

As nouns the difference between delicacy and subtlety

is that delicacy is the quality of being delicate while subtlety is the quality or fact of being subtle.

delicacy

English

Noun

(wikipedia delicacy) (delicacies)
  • The quality of being delicate.
  • Something appealing, usually a pleasing food, especially a choice dish of a certain culture suggesting rarity and refinement -a Chinese delicacy
  • Fineness or elegance of construction or appearance.
  • Frailty of health or fitness.
  • Refinement in taste or discrimination.
  • Tact and propriety; the need for such tact.

    • Related terms

    * delicate * delicatessen * delicious * delight

    subtlety

    English

    (wikipedia subtlety)

    Noun

  • (uncountable) The quality or fact of being subtle.
    • With all his usual subtlety , he quietly fixed the problem before anyone else noticed it.
  • (countable) An instance of being subtle, a subtle thing, especially a subtle argument or distinction.
    • The subtleties of this overture are often overlooked.
  • (countable) An ornate medieval illusion dish or table decoration, especially when made from one thing but crafted to look like another.
    • At the king's coronation feast, several subtleties were served between main courses.