A subtle difference in meaning, expression, or response; a slight variation that may be difficult to detect but is nonetheless significant.
From French 'nuance' meaning 'shade' or 'hue,' ultimately from Latin 'nubes' (cloud). The metaphor evolved from subtle gradations in color to subtle gradations in meaning.
The word literally means 'cloud-like shading'! Just as clouds create infinite subtle variations in light and shadow, nuanced thinking recognizes the infinite subtle variations between black-and-white extremes.
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