[ 'sʌt(ə)l ]
■ adjective ( ~r , ~st )
1》 so delicate or precise as to be difficult to analyse or describe: a ~ distinction.
↘capable of making fine distinctions.
↘delicately complex and understated: ~ lighting.
2》 making use of clever and indirect methods to achieve something.
3》 archaic crafty; cunning.
Derivatives
~ness noun
~ty noun ( plural ~ties ).
subtly adverb
Origin
ME: from OFr. sotil , from L. subtilis .