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Subtlety vs Shade - What's the difference?

subtlety | shade |

As nouns the difference between subtlety and shade

is that subtlety is (uncountable) the quality or fact of being subtle while shade is (label) darkness where light, particularly sunlight, is blocked.

As a verb shade is

to shield from light.

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.

    shade

    English

    (wikipedia shade)

    Etymology 1

    From (etyl) sceadu.

    Noun

  • (label) Darkness where light, particularly sunlight, is blocked.
  • *
  • , title=(The Celebrity), chapter=8 , passage=Now we plunged into a deep shade with the boughs lacing each other overhead, and crossed dainty, rustic bridges over the cold trout-streams, the boards giving back the clatter of our horses' feet:
  • (label) Something that blocks light, particularly in a window.
  • (label) A variety of a colour/color, in particular one obtained by adding black (compare tint).
  • * (John Locke) (1632-1705)
  • Thus light and colours, as white, red, yellow, blue, with their several degrees or shades , and mixtures, as green, scarlet, purple, sea-green, and the rest, come in only by the eyes
  • (label) A subtle variation in a concept.
  • * (Thomas De Quincey) (1785-1859)
  • new shades and combinations of thought
  • * (1800-1859)
  • Every shade of religious and political opinion has its own headquarters.
  • (label) An aspect that is reminiscent of something.
  • * Agatha Christie, Miss Marple Tells a Story
  • Mrs. Rhodes who (so I gathered from Mr. Petherick's careful language) was perhaps just a shade of a hypochondriac, had retired to bed immediately after dinner.
  • A ghost.
  • * (John Dryden) (1631-1700)
  • Swift as thought the flitting shade / Thro' air his momentary journey made.
  • (label) A creature that is partially human and partially angel.
  • (label) A postage stamp showing an obvious difference in colour/color to the original printing and needing a separate catalogue/catalog entry.
  • Subtle insults.
  • Etymology 2

    From (etyl) sceadwian.

    Verb

    (shad)
  • To shield from light.
  • The old oak tree shaded the lawn in the heat of the day.
  • To alter slightly.
  • You'll need to shade your shot slightly to the left.
    Most politicians will shade the truth if it helps them.
  • To vary slightly, particularly in color.
  • The hillside was bright green, shading towards gold in the drier areas.
  • (intransitive, baseball, of a defensive player) To move slightly from one's normal fielding position.
  • Jones will shade a little to the right on this pitch count.
  • To darken, particularly in drawing.
  • I draw contours first, gradually shading in midtones and shadows.
  • (obsolete) To shelter; to cover from injury; to protect; to screen.
  • * Shakespeare
  • Ere in our own house I do shade my head.
  • (obsolete) To present a shadow or image of; to shadow forth; to represent.
  • * Spenser
  • [The goddess] in her person cunningly did shade / That part of Justice which is Equity.
    Derived terms
    * (l)

    Derived terms

    * lampshade * made in the shade * nightshade * shader * shading * shady