SUBTLE


Meaning of SUBTLE in English

adj.

Pronunciation: ' s ə -t ə l

Function: adjective

Inflected Form: sub · tler \ ' s ə t-l ə r, ' s ə -t ə l- ə r \ ; sub · tlest \ ' s ə t-l ə st, ' s ə -t ə l- ə st \

Etymology: Middle English sotil, subtile, from Anglo-French, from Latin subtilis, literally, finely textured, from sub- + tela cloth on a loom; akin to Latin texere to weave ― more at TECHNICAL

Date: 14th century

1 a : DELICATE , ELUSIVE <a subtle fragrance> b : difficult to understand or perceive : OBSCURE < subtle differences in sound>

2 a : PERCEPTIVE , REFINED <a writer's sharp and subtle moral sense> b : having or marked by keen insight and ability to penetrate deeply and thoroughly <a subtle scholar>

3 a : highly skillful : EXPERT <a subtle craftsman> b : cunningly made or contrived : INGENIOUS

4 : ARTFUL , CRAFTY <a subtle rogue>

5 : operating insidiously < subtle poisons>

– sub · tle · ness \ ' s ə -t ə l-n ə s \ noun

– sub · tly \ ' s ə t-l ē , ' s ə -t ə l-(l) ē \ adverb

Merriam Webster Collegiate English Dictionary.      Merriam Webster - Энциклопедический словарь английского языка.