Subtle distinctions (7)
I believe the answer is:
nuances
<span class="explanation-format__ClueExplanation">'<span class="explanation-format__original">subtle distinctions</span>' is the definition.<br/ ><span class="explanation-format__explanation">(I've seen this in another clue)</span><br/ ><br/ >This is the entire clue.<br/ ></span>
(Other definitions for nuances that I've seen before include "subtle shades" , "Fine shades (of meaning)" , "Subtleties" , "suggestions" , "'Subtle variations, in meaning perhaps (7)'" .)