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nuance

nuance, shade

noun noo-AHNS Rare

Usage Note

Nuance entered English directly from French, but the French word has a broader range: it covers subtle differences in colour, meaning, or tone. The verb nuancer means 'to add nuance to, to qualify', and nuancé (nuanced) is a common adjective in critical and political discourse. The plural is nuances.

Examples

"Il faut comprendre les nuances de ce texte."

Natural Translation

One must understand the nuances of this text.

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