| 释义 |
subtleadj.n. Origin: A borrowing from French. Etymon: French sotel. Etymology: < Anglo-Norman sotel, Anglo-Norman and Old French sotil, Anglo-Norman and Old French, Middle French soutil, sutil, Anglo-Norman and Middle French suttil (also Anglo-Norman and Old French, Middle French subtil : see subtile adj.; French subtil ) (of an object) skilfully made or designed (beginning of the 12th cent.), slender, thin (first third of the 12th cent., originally with reference to a body part), (of a person, the mental faculties, or intellectual activity) perceptive, discerning, shrewd (late 12th cent.), of fine or delicate texture or composition (last quarter of the 12th cent.), (of an immaterial thing) difficult to understand, complicated (end of the 12th cent.; 1580 with negative connotation ‘unnecessarily complicated, abstruse’), (of a person or animal) sly, underhand, devious (1212), (of a substance) consisting of fine particles (beginning of the 13th cent.), (of a person) skilful, dexterous, expert (end of the 13th cent.), (of an action or words) characterized by slyness or treachery, intended to deceive someone (1321 or earlier), (of food or diet) delicate, light (a1365), (of a ship) narrow, slender (a1371) < classical Latin subtīlis fine in texture, composed of fine particles, delicately slender, (of a cutting edge) fine, marked by delicate precision or fineness of detail, (of plans) involving fine timing or judgement, having fine perception or judgement, fastidious, marked by refined taste, minutely thorough, (of distinctions) fine, in post-classical Latin also cunning, crafty (3rd cent.) < sub under (see sub prep.) + tēla web (see telar adj.); originally a weaving term. Compare Old Occitan sotil (c1250), Catalan subtil, (in sense ‘insignificant’) sotil (both 14th cent.), Spanish sutil (early 13th cent. as †sotil), Portuguese sutil (13th cent. as †sotil; also (now rare) subtil (1553)), Italian sottile (early 13th cent. as †sotile), all showing a similar range of senses. The Latin adjective was also borrowed into other Germanic languages, in some cases via French; compare Old Frisian subtīl (West Frisian subtyl), Middle Dutch subtīl, subtijl, suptijl (Dutch subtiel, †subtijl), Middle Low German subtīl, Middle High German subtīl (German subtil), Old Swedish subtīl (Swedish subtil), Old Danish subtīl (Danish subtil).The β. forms show remodelling after classical Latin subtīlis , as does French subtil subtile adj. The -b- was probably always silent in early use, as it is today, and as it is also in e.g. debt n. Compare subtile adj. and n., where pronunciations with /b/ probably reflect a modern spelling pronunciation. In modern use, subtle adj. and subtile adj. are normally distinct in pronunciation as well as in spelling, subtile adj. showing /ɪ/ in the second syllable, and sometimes also /b/ at the end of the first syllable. No such clear distinction existed in earlier use, and the division of earlier material between the two entries must to a certain extent be arbitrary. Accordingly, all forms with -b- have been placed at subtile adj., with the exception of subtle , since this is the modern standard spelling realizing the pronunciations (British English) /ˈsʌtl/, (U.S. English) /ˈsədəl/ (i.e. always without /b/, and with reduced vowel or syllabic consonant in the second syllable). In subtle matter n. at Compounds 2 after post-classical Latin materia subtilis (see the etymological note at subtile adj. and n.); compare earlier subtile matter n. at subtile adj. and n. Compounds 2. A. adj. I. Non-physical senses. the mind > attention and judgement > judgement or decision > discernment, discrimination > [adjective] the mind > mental capacity > understanding > reason, faculty of reasoning > misleading argument, sophistry > excessive subtlety, hair-splitting > [adjective] α. c1300 Childhood Jesus (Laud) l. 773 in C. Horstmann (1875) 1st Ser. 27 (MED) Jesum Sotil was and wis of redes. 1340 (1866) 24 Sotil wyt wel uor to vynde. a1400 (a1325) (Gött.) l. 13443 Of godspellers he was þe ferth. Marc, luca, mathe, his felaus, Bot iohn was sotilest in saus. c1440 (?a1400) l. 808 (MED) Two phylozophirs..In the seuyn scyence the suteleste fonden. a1500 (?a1450) (BL Add. 9066) (1879) 55 The second best counseilour, and the thirde [the] sotelest enserchour. ?1504 W. Atkinson tr. Thomas à Kempis (Pynson) i. v. sig. A.v The fame of sotell phylosophers. 1579 G. Harvey (1884) 71 Ye suttle and intricate acumen of Aristotle. a1612 J. Harington Treat. Playe in (1775) II. 5 The narowest examiners and suttellest distinguyshers of wordes. 1644 J. Milton 30 A Nation not slow and dull, but..acute to invent, suttle and sinewy to discours. 2. the world > action or operation > ability > skill or skilfulness > cunning > [adjective] α. 1340 (1866) 26 (MED) Þo byeþ ypocrites sotyls þet sotilliche wylleþ heȝe cliue, and steleþ þe dingnetes and þe baylyes. ?a1450 (?c1400) (Lamb.) (1901) 82 Þey be mysdoers, sotel, and slyhtful dysseyuers. 1488 (c1478) Hary (Adv.) (1968–9) i. l. 273 Suthroun ar full sutaille euerilk man. 1535 Gen. iii. A The serpent was sotyller then all the beastes of the felde. 1559 W. Baldwin et al. Glendour f. xixv The Wulfe doth spoyle, the suttle Fox doth pyke. 1583 A. Golding tr. J. Calvin iii. xvi. 94/1 He that is suttlelest and fullest of shiftes. 1645 J. Milton Sonnet vii, in 49 How soon hath Time the suttle theef of youth, Stoln on his wing my three and twentith yeer! 1667 J. Milton vii. 495 The Serpent suttl'st Beast of all the field. View more context for this quotation the world > action or operation > ability > skill or skilfulness > cunning > [adjective] > specifically of actions, qualities, etc. α. 1340 (1866) 25 (MED) Þer is an ypocrisye uoul, and anoþre fole, and þe þridde sotil. c1384 (Douce 369(2)) (1850) 2 Cor. xi. 3 The serpent disceyuede Eue with his sutil wordis [L. astutia sua]. 1429–30 (Electronic ed.) Parl. Sept. 1429 §36. m. 8 Grete damagis and sotil deceitis. 1488 (c1478) Hary (Adv.) (1968–9) i. l. 84 Be sutalle band thai cordyt of this thing. ?1510 T. More in tr. G. F. Pico della Mirandola sig. f.iii Against euery sotell suggestion of vice. a1568 R. Ascham (1570) i. f. 15v The sotle inticement of som lewd seruant. 1667 J. Milton ix. 184 His head.., well stor'd with suttle wiles. View more context for this quotation the world > the earth > land > ground > [adjective] > tricky a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) v. ii. 22 Like to a Bowle vpon a subtle ground I haue tumbled past the throw. View more context for this quotation 1631 B. Jonson 143 Vpon Tityus his brest, that (for sixe of the nine acres) is counted the subtlest bowling-ground in all Tartary. the mind > mental capacity > intelligibility > unintelligibility > depth, obscurity > [adjective] 1340 (1866) 99 (MED) Þe holy pater noster..ys wel ssort ine wordes and wel lang ine wytte, Liȝt to zigge, and sotil to onderstonde. a1375 (c1350) (1867) l. 2603 Sechande towarde cisile þe sotilest weyes. c1400 (c1378) W. Langland (Laud 581) (1869) B. xv. l. 48 Alle þe sciences vnder sonne and alle þe sotyle craftes I wolde I knewe. ?a1450 (?c1400) (Lamb.) (1901) 15 We schul wele wyte þat þese thre thyngys [sc. articles of the creed] ben wel sotel and diuers. a1530 (c1425) Andrew of Wyntoun (Royal) i. Prol. l. 24 To wryte,..in to plane and opyne style, But curyous wordis or suttyle. 1631 B. Jonson Divell is Asse ii. i. 114 in II There's not place, To gi' you demonstration of these things. They are a little to subtle. 1667 J. Milton viii. 192 Things remote From use, obscure and suttle . View more context for this quotation a1680 S. Butler (1759) II. 167 The subtler Words and Notions are, the nearer they are to Nonsense. 1728 E. Chambers at Metaphysical The Word is also used to denote something too subtle, abstract, and refined. In this sense we say, such a Reasoning, such a Proof, is too Metaphysical, &c. a1770 M. Akenside Let. in (1867) p. lxxxiv Systems [is] too recluse and subtle a word. 1817 J. Mill I. ii. iv. 150 A subject..of less subtle and difficult disquisition. 1861 E. T. Hurlstone & J. P. Norman V. 369 I am not very sure that I have the faculty of fully appreciating that extremely subtle point. 1901 63 466/1 I have seen, again and again, in the court-room subtle questions in psychological medicine brought up and left for the consideration of the jury. 2004 R. A. Schwartz & R. Francioni iv. 108 Market quality—the magnitude of trading costs and the accuracy of price discovery—is a complex, subtle subject. 4. the world > action or operation > ability > skill or skilfulness > [adjective] c1390 in F. J. Furnivall (1901) ii. 544 Þe more sotil [L. doctior; Fr. sotil] he is of þat art [sc. dice-playing], Þe more he stont on euel part. a1400 (a1325) (Vesp.) l. 325 (MED) First in his witte he all purueid His werc, als dos þe sotill wright. 1488 (c1478) Hary (Adv.) (1968–9) vii. l. 1150 A wricht he tuk, the suttellast at thar was. a1500 (?c1450) xxi. 362 [He] made..a Chekier of golde and Ivory half parted, ffor he was right sotill of soche crafte. 1578 J. Rolland 4 My cunning men, and my Medicinars, My Cirugians and als my Potingars, My Practicianes quhilkis ar suttell and slie. 1698 J. Fryer v. 263 (margin) The Armenians subtle Dealers. 1821 Ld. Byron Two Foscari iv. i, in 272 I..bribed no subtle master Of the destructive art. 1859 E. FitzGerald tr. xliii. 9 The subtle Alchemist that [can] in a Trice Life's leaden Metal into Gold transmute. 1906 J. G. R. Forlong II. 222 Its [sc. Nifl-heim's] lord was a subtle craftsman, and smith, who wrought in the fire. 1996 R. Silverberg 240 Long curving windows of faceted quartz carved by the subtlest craftsmen of Stee. c1405 (c1385) G. Chaucer (Ellesmere) (1868) A. l. 2049 With soutil pencel was depeynted this storie. a1500 ( J. Yonge tr. (Rawl.) (1898) 220 (MED) The Malencoly man..is of sotille ymagynacion as of hand-werkys. c1540 (?a1400) (2002) f. 27 The Stretis were streght..By the sydes for sothe of sotell deuyse Was archet full abilly. 1687 362 No Painter..with his subtle [1659 subtil] Hand, and wisest Skill, Hath hitherto but striv'd to draw you ill. 1703 M. Prior Advice to Painter in 149 All Nature's Gifts refin'd by subtlest Art. 1867 J. Ruskin ii. §7 To attain..more subtle and exemplary skill in his own craft. 1880 S. Smiles iii. 50 The Indians are clever workmen, with ingenious, subtle fingers. 1922 Nov. 490/1 His subtle skill in handling his rod and reel. 2002 L. R. King (2009) i. 3 The taciturn older brother had possessed such a subtle hand at the cook-fire. 1605 J. Sylvester tr. G. de S. Du Bartas i. v. 154 The..suttle Sea-Foxe..Can from the Worme-claspe compasse their vntwining. 1744 I. 58 The Jack-daw is a Cunning Subtle Bird, and is frequently taught the Imitation of a Human Voice. 1854 1 419 The..most subtle, cunning, sharpest-flying Pigeon for Homeing. the world > action or operation > ability > skill or skilfulness > [adjective] > ingenious > characterized by ingenuity a1400 (a1325) (Vesp.) l. 4750 (MED) In sum bok find i þar a wile þat ioseph fand þat was sutile. c1400 (?a1387) W. Langland (Huntington HM 137) (1873) C. xi. l. 207 For god seith hit hym-self ‘shal neuere good appel Þorw no sotel science on sour stock growe’. a1450 (1885) 10 (MED) Moo sutyll werkys asse-say I sall for to be set in seruice sere. a1500 (1839) 26 He..with a sotule poynte of werre, gate and enteryd Seynt Michaels Mount. 1602 ( D. Lindsay (Charteris) 141 Gold smythis..Remember my memoriall With mony ane sittill cast. 1653 H. Cogan tr. F. M. Pinto xxxvii. 145 They..are exceeding proper and apt for the inventing of very subtle & industrious things. 1667 J. Milton i. 727 From the arched roof Pendant by suttle Magic many a row Of Starry Lamps. View more context for this quotation 6. the mind > mental capacity > intelligibility > unintelligibility > inexplicableness > [adjective] 1547–9 Duke of Somerset Let. in J. Foxe (1583) I. 1345/1 The subtle difference of lying and telling of a lye. 1639 W. Cartwright ii. i Kings' pleasures are more subtle than to be Seen by the vulgar. 1745 D. Fordyce II. xiii. 76 Those subtle Differences of Things..from whom we take our Measures. 1797 ii. xii. 476 The more the reader accustoms himself to this comparison, the more subtle and delicate will be the ideas of style that he will acquire. 1849 J. Ruskin v. 144 The seven are in a most subtle alternating proportion. 1855 A. Bain ii. iii. 569 Many inconsistencies are too subtle for the detection of an ordinary mind. 1879 Dec. 831/1 What subtle associations will recall the phantoms of the past. 1909 13 292 These were modified and assimilated not only by adding suitable introductions, conclusions, and numerous interpolations but also by an exceedingly subtle retouchment. a1946 C. Carswell (1950) ii. xi. 114 The subtle but overwhelming effect one personality has upon another when physically adjacent. 2000 8 June 24/5 Areas of tenderness and subtle changes that help to pin-point problems in various organs. the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > invisibility > [adjective] > hard to see > eluding gaze 1768 L. Sterne I. 54 I must have made some slight efforts towards a closer compression of her hand, from a subtle sensation I felt in the palm of my own. 1793 W. Roberts No. 47. 372 A subtle elegance, that steals into every act and gesture, and yet eludes detection. 1843 July 321 The charmed influence that..like the subtle scent of roses, floats its sweet perfume o'er the dear remembered spot. 1885 20 Feb. 185/3 ‘In the Tyrol’, with all the transparencies of the water and all the subtle colours of the hills and the vales. 1932 23 Nov. p. xxv/2 (advt.) Made of purest ingredients (to a secret recipe), it has a subtle, simple flavour and is a natural food. 1964 M. L. Rosenthal (1968) 22 The air didn't budge, the swish being so subtle. 1989 J. Galloway (1991) 47 This has to be subtle; just enough makeup to make my eyes seem more, the lips rounder. 2011 R. Ullian 476 Public areas are contemporary and airy, with subtle decor touches that hint of ancient times. the mind > attention and judgement > good taste > refinement > [adjective] > specifically of persons 1904 S. Fitzgerald x. 192 Doric pillars, whose solidity and simplicity of construction is softened by settled harmony of proportion, like the full chords of some mighty symphony interpreted by the touch of a subtle musician. 1945 5 Feb. 71 A delicate, subtle pianist, he became a great favorite at salons and soirees. 1977 M. K. Dziewanowski iv. 110 Makowski..achieved a reputation as a sensitive and subtle painter of children. 2008 (Nexis) 24 Feb. (Comment section) 58 Be she sturdy or skinny, a subtle actress or a ham, the soprano in the title role will know that every ear in the house will be tuned to her mad scene. 7. the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > secrecy, concealment > stealthy action, stealth > [adjective] a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) i. v. 287 I feele this youths perfections With an inuisible, and subtle stealth To creepe in at mine eyes. View more context for this quotation 1788 E. Gibbon IV. xliii. 331 The winds might diffuse that subtle venom. 1818 Ld. Byron cxxxvi. 71 From the loud roar of foaming calumny To the small whisper of the as paltry few, And subtler venom of the reptile crew. 1878 in G. P. Lathrop 25 What subtle drug shall give release with slightest pain before it slay. 1932 T. E. Lawrence tr. Homer (new ed.) iv. 51 These drugs of subtle potency had been furnished the daughter of Zeus by the wife of Thon. 1998 N. Barnard 45 Foods..act like subtle poisons, building up in your system with debilitating effects. 1731 16 With such advantage in his view, Did Jove his subtle Work pursue; And as a furth'rance of his aim, Excell'd in kindness to the Dame. 1825 Oct. 274 Mr Pinkney..appears to us in the light of a lion caught in the toils of a subtle diplomacy. 1856 J. A. Froude (1858) II. vi. 7 The influence of the popes in England was of that subtle kind which was not so readily defeated. 1898 June 17 It strives by subtle, tactful means to exert an elevating influence on the home. 1920 18 29 It is a part of the resourceful and subtle strategy of this obsessing egotism, that it largely keeps itself in hiding. 1957 Mar. 10/2 A subtle hint dropped in the right place can plant the notion that..you may have no choice but to look elsewhere. 1989 25 Mar. 12/5 The most subtle insult to the Enlightenment is the recent trend to apply the insights of so-called ‘missiology’ to it. 2009 P. J. Ayars ii. 11 She had to get beyond her subtle approach if she was going to make a difference in group settings. the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > [adjective] > tactful 1898 A. M. Archer x. 146 His language is less pure, his manners harder, his jests more coarse and direct. He is less subtle, less wrapped in the mantle of courtliness. 1910 R. M. Wernaer 214 She has tact. She is subtle in her remarks. She despises gossip. 1986 20 July 28/2 Dick was not a subtle man; if he disapproved of a statue or staircase installed by his wife, he simply had it destroyed. 1998 (Nexis) 9 Dec. 32 I suppose I could have been more tactful and subtle, but I was very direct. 2009 A. Adams 113 ‘I've warned her they'll break her hip one day.’ ‘How subtle of you. I can't imagine why she didn't take your advice.’ II. Senses relating to physical composition or action. 8. the world > matter > constitution of matter > other specific kinds of texture > [adjective] > fine a1382 (Douce 369(1)) (1850) Isa. xix. 9 Plattende and weuende sotile thingus [L. subtilia]. a1450 (Westm. Sch. 3) (1967) 15 Men cloþe for wyntir roobyng wiþ greet clooþ & foule, for somer, clooþ þat is sotil & smal. a1662 P. Heylyn (1668) ii. 331 Many a fine and subtle Carpet. 1705 F. Atterbury 21 Their [sc. the works of nature's] fine and subtle Texture . 1791 W. Cowper tr. Homer Odyssey in II. xix. 173 A robe Of amplest measure and of subtlest woof. 1827 J. Keble (ed. 2) 269 Thinner than the subtlest lawn. 1852 H. J. Carter 32 This formation in its more subtle material closely corresponds with the miliolitic deposit at Ras Abu Ashrin. 1905 M. Cunliffe-Owen 175 The mellow air..almost palpably hung around them like some astonishingly subtle fabric. the world > food and drink > food > qualities of food > [adjective] > digestible > easily digested or light a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus (BL Add. 27944) (1975) I. vi. xx. 322 Som mete is sotille [L. subtilis] and sone defied... Som mete is grete and hard to defie. c1450 (?a1400) (Ashm.) l. 2923 (MED) Þare sesonde was a soper, þe sotelest vndire heuen. c1450 J. Capgrave (1910) 47 (MED) Grete wast was not in his hous of sotil metes. a1500 ( J. Yonge tr. (Rawl.) (1898) 239 Sotyll diet is beste, and lyght to defye. 9. the world > space > shape > condition of being long in relation to breadth > slenderness > [adjective] a1382 (Bodl. 959) (1961) Lev. xiii. 30 Þe heer ȝolwe & sotiler [L. subtilior] þan hit is wont. c1405 (c1385) G. Chaucer (Ellesmere) (1868) A. l. 2030 The sharpe swerd ouer his heed Hangynge by a soutil twynes threed. c1450 (?c1408) J. Lydgate (1901) l. 1150 (MED) Hir clothing..Wroght and wove..With sotil thredes softe and smale. a1475 (1889) 9 If ȝe wole not make lymayl of gold, þanne make þerof a sotil þinne plate. a1500 (a1450) tr. (Ashm. 396) 105 The extremytees of whos nastrels is thynne and sotill. 1609 W. Shakespeare v. ii. 154 No orifex for a point as subtle, As Ariachna's broken woofe to enter. View more context for this quotation a1680 S. Butler (1759) I. 129 Tools of sharp and subtle Edges. 1812 Ld. Byron i. l. 33 If subtle poniards, wrapt beneath the cloke, Could blunt the sabre's edge, or clear the cannon's smoke. 1851 30 Aug. 457 The stubborn material..refused to stretch to a more subtle fibre, or produce a finer yarn. 1911 F. E. Miller iv. 56 The most subtle filament ever spun still is less fine than the line which divides [etc.]. society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > vessel of specific construction or shape > [adjective] > of specific general shape 1511 (Pynson) f. v An .C. galyes grete bastardes & Sotell. 1579 G. Fenton tr. F. Guicciardini i. 36 It conteyned xxxv. light or suttle galleyes. 1856 766 Lighter, sharper than those of the preceding century, in the fourteenth, the kind called ‘subtle galleys’, were observed to preponderate. the world > matter > constitution of matter > granular texture > [adjective] > powdery or dusty > made powdery > finely 1394 in J. B. Heath (1869) 61 (MED) [The unjust mode of garbling spices and other] sotill wares. a1475 J. Russell Bk. Nurture (Harl. 4011) in (2002) i. 120 Loke þy salte be sutille, whyte, fayre and drye. a1475 (1889) 4 Selid with þe seel of lute of wijsdom, maad of þe sotillest flour. a1500 (?a1430) J. Lydgate tr. G. Deguileville (Stowe) l. 16818 The Sotyl smale Sandys and gravell off the See. 1565 A. Golding tr. Ovid iv. f. 2v In the suttle sande the prynt of Lyons Pawe. 1634 T. Johnson tr. A. Paré xxiv. lvi. 951 Corall beaten into most subtle powder and drunke in steeled water. 1678 E. Phillips (new ed.) Alcoholization, a reducing of any solid matter into an extream fine and subtle powder. 1753 Suppl. at Sublimable Giving wings, as it were, to its subtle particles, so that they may ascend with its easily sublimable matter. 1781 May 344 The Author added a little manganese, reduced to a subtle powder, to a quantity of nitrous acid. 1821 J. Davy i. i. 41 On our voyage from India,..the SE wind blowing strongly off land, was so impregnated with a subtle sand..that it proved very troublesome. 1875 H. Lee viii. 82 The faces of all, moistened by the salt spray, and bespattered and powdered with the subtle material, became..as shiny as a wellblacked stove. 1920 G. W. Carey & I. E. Perry 31 For a long time, hydrogen gas..was supposed to be indivisible beyond all question; but the present day chemist knows it is only an expression of yet more subtle molecules. the world > matter > constitution of matter > lack of density > [adjective] the world > matter > liquid > [adjective] > qualities of liquid > not viscous, thin the world > matter > gas > air > [adjective] > specific qualities of (the) air > thin or light a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus (BL Add. 27944) (1975) I. v. xix. 201 Þe aier and breþ idrawe in by þe mouþ is amendid and ipurid and made sotile þerinne. ?a1425 (Egerton) (1889) 9 (MED) Abouen on þir hilles es þe aer so clere and so sutill þat men may fele na wynd þare. a1500 ( J. Yonge tr. (Rawl.) (1898) 240 Sutil and thyn spetil that descendyth..fro the Palete of the mouth to the tonge. a1566 R. Edwards (1571) sig. Cijv But mee thinkes, this is a pleasant Citie, The Seate is good..The Ayre subtle and fine. 1660 R. Boyle ix. 74 The most subtle Chymical Spirits. 1667 J. Dryden ii. i. 16 Arise ye subtle Spirits that can spy. 1728 H. Pemberton 143 Where no sensible matter is found, there was yet a subtle fluid substance by which the space was filled up. 1799 1 250 There was only one part of the air, namely, the most subtle and elastic, that could be called vital. 1842 R. Browning In a Gondola in The Arab sage In practising with gems can loose Their subtle spirit in his cruce And leave but ashes. 1863 J. Tyndall ii. 23 The material theory supposes heat to be..a subtle fluid stored up in the inter-atomic spaces of bodies. 1917 June 532 There once used to be in this science a soul, a subtle fluid or spirit, that permeated the whole man, which persisted even after cells had broken down into molecules. 1952 10 456 Between these particles [of matter] there was no vacuum, since the interstices were filled with a subtle ether, itself particulate. 2007 40 127 Of particular interest here is Saadia's identification of the ruach elohim with something called ‘the subtle air’..as distinct from the element air, called ‘visible air’. the world > relative properties > measurement > measurement by weighing > [adjective] > (of weight) after tare deducted 1622 G. de Malynes i. iv. 22 The Custome of Antuerp is to weigh by the hundreth pounds euen weight called Subtle, for the which commonly there is allowed at the weigh-house 101 ll. 1636 in W. Foster (1907) 203 500. wt. subtle of pepper. 1746 T. Crosby 60 The Gross Weight is divided by 7, for the Tare of 16 lb. &c. and the Subtle Weight by 26, for the whole Trett. 1759 I. 186/2 Sometimes there happens to be tare and tret in the same parcel of goods; then you must deduct the tare first, and the remainder is termed the subtle weight. 1898 S. S. Dawson 14/1 Tret is a deduction of 4 pounds for every 104 pounds of subtle weight as an allowance for sand, dust, &c. 1951 D. S. Freeman III. iii. 44 (note) The net or ‘subtle’ weight, after deduction of ‘trett’ and ‘tare’. the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > invisibility > [adjective] > not noticeable or conspicuous 1654 W. Charleton iii. vi. 209 If it were possible for a man to see those subtle motions of the aer, caused by the strings of an instrument..the whole Tune would appear to him like a well drawn Picture. 1749 D. Hartley i. i. 26 Heat in us is caused, or attended, by subtle Vibrations of the medullary Substance. 1838 Apr. 356 ‘Perhaps you'll jine [sic] me, then, Mr. Thing-um-bob?’ suggested Mr. Sugden,..indicating the half-emptied bottle of porter with a subtle jerk of his right hand. 1863 ‘G. Eliot’ III. xiii. 136 There was a subtle movement, like a subdued sign of pain, in Savonarola's strong lips, before he began to speak. 1910 G. F. Franklin xx. 160 A subtle gesture of her hand seemed to deprive it of its flesh, leave it a talon which held a scythe. 1971 C. J. White xi. 104 It is his ‘pit sense’ which enables him to detect subtle movements of the strata or of a deflection of a roof support despite the noise and clatter of machinery. 2011 F. Delaney (2012) 40 Throughout this hospitality, I also observed Miss Begley's exchanges with her grandmother—eyebrow lifts, subtle nods, tiny hand gestures. B. n.1594 W. Shakespeare sig. G3v To tame the Vnicorne, and Lion wild, To mocke the subtle in themselues beguild. View more context for this quotation 1641 J. Ley 39 The subtle may draw the simple from spirituall piety, to sensuall superstition. 1750 R. Rolt III. v. i. 77 They had been considered as legal cheats, by which the ignorant and the rash were defrauded, and the subtle and avaricious often enriched. 1868 11 July 731/1 The arguments of the subtle, and the discourses of the eloquent. 1921 20 Aug. 169/3 Without doubt the compliment was sincere, but the subtle might detect in it an ambiguous suggestiveness. 1597 P. Lowe tr. Hippocrates Bk. of Presages sig. Cv, in The blacke [urine] as well in man as woman is alwaies bad, and the subtle and the cleare as water is also mortall in little children. 1678 tr. M. Charas iii. i. xix. 28 Add a small quantity of Leven, Honey, Sugar, or Manna, to the Liquors necessary for the requisite dissolution and separation of the subtle and volatile from the gross parts. a1834 S. T. Coleridge (1835) I. 158 It shows the general want of any sense for the fine and the subtle in the public taste, that this romance made no deep impression. 1922 1 June 1002 His genius was too much alive to the delicately harmonious, the subtle and the elegant. 2010 T. Balio vi. 127 The Japanese always valued the subtle in art; they hated exactness, definiteness. Compounds C1. Parasynthetic. Frequently literary (now rare). 1603 J. Florio tr. M. de Montaigne ii. xvii. 376 The more..subtle-brained [L. callidior] a man is, the more is he hated. 1844 J. Mills xix. 116 The way of obtaining admittance therein no mortal, however philosophical and subtle-brained, could or will unriddle or devise. 1912 E. Curtis 456 The iron-handed, subtle-brained Guiscard is there. 1818 J. Keats i. 26 'Twas a lay More subtle cadenced,..Than Dryope's lone lulling of her child. 1571 A. Golding tr. J. Calvin (xvii. 4) There bee some suttleheaded persones [L. sunt enim qui solertia praediti], which mark other mennes dooinges narowly. 1630 M. Godwin tr. F. Godwin i. 137 They send abroad subtle headed fellowes, who..search into the liues and manners of religious persons. 1709 D. Manley (ed. 2) II. 269 See! who appears next, a designing subtle-headed Atalantick Lord! 1855 C. Adams xv. 110 Mister John Bull,..plumping very unchristian lead and steel into Nicholas' subtle-headed serfs. 1912 B. Thomas (1913) 208 A man in the flower of his years, of commanding aspect, subtle-headed, tender-hearted, on the face of him. 1907 10 Aug. 766/1 On that side he laid a subtle-meshed web from end to end. 1561 T. Norton tr. J. Calvin i. f. 32 The suttlenosed [Fr. gaudisseurs] and babbling men do easily mock out this. 1830 Ld. Tennyson Isabel in 7 A most silver flow Of subtlepacéd counsel in distress. 1900 D. Graham iii. iii. 92 Leave that to..gliding, subtle-paced Italians. 1858 E. S. Sheppard v. 169 Its turf was entirely composed of those short, subtle-scented herbs which aromatise the intense purity of the atmosphere. 1916 L. V. Ledoux 11 Out to subtle-scented dawns beside the shore..the Pleiades will lure us. 2007 (Nexis) 11 Oct. (Sunday Life section) 39 Fabric infused by the subtle-scented moisturisers aloe vera and jojoba. 1601 S. Daniel Ciuill Warres (rev. ed.) vi. xv. f. 85, in Here Scottish border broyles, and feares of Fraunce,..Brought foorth a suttle-shadowed countenaunce Of quiet Peace. 1939 U. Bethell 6 This scintillant early sunshine..Playing on subtle-shadowed tussock bosses. a1822 P. B. Shelley Peter Bell III v, in (?1840) 242/1 He was a mighty poet—and A subtle-souled psychologist. 1917 July 11 O lover, subtle-souled, who scarce didst dare To encounter thy most gentle lady's glance. 1992 R. Morgan viii. 144 The subtle-souled woman who now emerges from Stephen's hand rather more pathetic and childlike than she emerged from Hardy's own. 1830 Ld. Tennyson Ode to Memory v, in 64 The few whom passion hath not blinded, Subtlethoughted, myriadminded. 1887 T. E. van Bibber 75 That wondrous water-organ..Which a keen, subtle-thoughted brain devised. 1639 G. Daniel xxi. 22 The proud Orator And Subtle-Tongu'd Man. 1711 C. Echard tr. Lucian Fisherman in tr. III. 350 I hear you're a damnable Orator, and a confounded subtle-tongu'd Lawyer. 1860 H. R. Helper (enlarged ed.) i. 42 The incoherent, truth-murdering declamations of these subtle-tongued champions of slavery. 2004 M. J. Cardwell 29 Biblical echoes associate Pitt with..the subtle-tongued serpent who tempted Eve. a1439 J. Lydgate (Bodl. 263) iii. l. 3296 Famous in knyhthod for his worthynesse, Sotil wittid, and koude bi eloquence. 1556 N. Grimald tr. Cicero iii. f. 130v It is a parte not..of a good manne: but rather of a suttlewitted. 1664 S. Butler ii. iii. 165 But Sidrophel more subtle-witted, Cry'd out. 1735 J. Clarke tr. Eutropius (ed. 3) ix. 147/2 Dioclesian was a cunningly behaved man, sagacious too and very subtle witted. a1822 P. B. Shelley Homer's Hymn to Mercury lxvi, in (1824) 317 Jupiter..Laughed heartily to hear the subtle-witted Infant give such a plausible account. 1991 (Nexis) 24 Mar. 46 He is a subtle-witted individual, whose favourite pastime is fishing. C2. 1610 T. Morton ii. iii. 35 By subtle Doctor all vnderstand Scotus. 1790 G. Gregory II. 158 Scotus obtained the name of the Subtle Doctor. 1883 Apr. 316 You say the Subtle Doctor is in error? 1962 29 408 To a point,..intelligence is an attribute of the Scotist God, although such a formulation grossly oversimplifies the subtle doctor. 2003 19 67 Later editors of the works of Scotus regarded Aodh as a key writer on the Subtle Doctor. 1699 W. Dampier ii. ii. 68 Subtle Jacks are Birds as big as Pigeons... They are called by the English Subtle Jacks, because of this uncommon way of building. 1831 C. I. Johnstone viii. 300 On trees that grow singly and apart the birds build all round; but where the trees stand in proximity to others, the Subtle Jack chooses only those that border upon a savanna, pool, or creek. the world > existence and causation > existence > materiality > [noun] > matter or corporeal substance > postulated types of matter 1660 R. Boyle xvii. 122 The Plenists (if I may so call them) do not prove that such spaces are replenish'd with such a subtle Matter as they speak of. 1685 tr. A. Arnauld & P. Nicole iii. xix. 107 Mons. Gassendus was so much the more oblig'd to refute this Hypothesis, as admitting himself this suttle matter which penetrates Bodys. 1723 J. Clarke tr. II. iii. v. 150 The subtle matter..is always agitating the Extremities of the little Branches of which every ramous Particle of Oyl consists. 1769 tr. L. Dutens iii. ii. 198 Descartes..supposes a vortex of subtle matter, of an elliptic form, to invest our globe, and compress it on all sides. 1833 T. Flint 83 The theory of Franklin was, that electricity is an infinitely subtle matter diffused like caloric through all bodies. 1884 18 244 These parts..form an exceedingly fine and subtle matter—Descartes' first element—which fills the interstices between the spherical portions, which are likewise very minute, and constitute his second element.] 1943 17 Sept. 252/1 This he did by postulating that surrounding the earth there is a vortex of subtle matter, or ether, which, by its pressure, provides the effect of gravity. 2006 S. Gaukroger 311 As a significant amount of subtle matter is formed..the globules (boules) of second matter begin to be pushed radially outwards through the action of centrifugal force, and the excess subtle matter takes its place in the more central regions, ultimately forming the sun..and the fixed stars. 1866 J. A. Symonds Diary 15 Apr. in H. F. Brown (1895) I. 362 Refinements and subtle-subtilisings of all sorts have succeeded to keen intuitions into nature. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2012; most recently modified version published online June 2022). subtlev. Origin: Of multiple origins. Partly a borrowing from French Partly formed within English, by conversion. Etymons: French sotiller ; subtle adj. Etymology: Originally < Anglo-Norman sotiller, sutiller, sutillier, Old French, Middle French soutillier, Anglo-Norman and Middle French soutiller to argue subtly, to split hairs (beginning of the 13th cent. or earlier), to make (something) sharp (c1270 or earlier), to make (something) thin (14th cent. or earlier), to scheme, plot (although this is first attested later: 1357 used intransitively, last quarter of the 14th cent. used transitively) < sotil , soutil , sutil subtle adj., partly after post-classical Latin subtiliare subtiliate v. In later use (in sense 5) re-formed < subtle adj. Compare Italian sottigliare (a1269 as †sotilgliare in sense ‘to sharpen (the mind or senses)’; end of the 13th cent. in sense ‘to argue subtly’, a1333 in sense ‘to reduce, rarefy’); also (with prefixation) Old Occitan asotilar to rarefy, to make thin (c1200, used reflexively). Compare later subtile v.In Middle English prefixed and unprefixed forms of the past participle are attested (see y- prefix). In form subtle influenced by β. forms at subtle adj. and n. the mind > will > intention > planning > plotting > plot [verb (intransitive)] c1300 Childhood Jesus (Laud) l. 1224 in C. Horstmann (1875) 1st Ser. 41 Ich was gret fol þat wole soteli, ȝwane ich scholde so hine preisi. c1400 (?a1387) W. Langland (Huntington HM 137) (1873) C. xxi. l. 336 (MED) Ich sotelide how ich myghte Lette hem þat louede hym nat lest þei wolde hym martrye. a1425 J. Wyclif (1871) II. 379 Þe fend sutilliþ evere aȝens holy chirche. a1450 (Bodl. e Mus.) (1981) 136 (MED) Sotilleþ [c1425 Harl. A false procuratour is he þat..procureþ wityngliche a false nede..and sotilliche how he may spede suche a cause by wrenchis & wyles]. the mind > mental capacity > understanding > reason, faculty of reasoning > misleading argument, sophistry > excessive subtlety, hair-splitting > pursue subtleties [verb (intransitive)] c1390 (a1376) W. Langland (Vernon) (1867) A. xi. 139 Hit [sc. Theology] is no science forsoþe to sotilen þer-Inne. a1500 (c1340) R. Rolle (Univ. Oxf. 64) (1884) ii. §2. 9 When þa þat sould gif þaim hally til godis luf..sutils þaim in swilk thynge þat draghs þaim fra thoght of heuen in till werldis besynes. †3. the world > relative properties > quantity > decrease or reduction in quantity, amount, or degree > reduce in quantity, amount, or degree [verb (transitive)] a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus (BL Add. 27944) (1975) II. xvii. clvi. 1052 By hete of þe erþe yclosed wiþinne þat tempereþ and sotileþ þe humour of þe erþe aboute. a1400 tr. Lanfranc (Ashm.) (1894) 229 Þou must sotile his dietyng, & he schal not ete to miche. ?a1425 MS Hunterian 95 f. 171v, in at Sotilen If a man take þe dunge of a gote soþen wiþ honye and leie it on þe place, it consumeþ it & sotilleþ it and enduceþ feire cicatrice. c1475 ( Surg. Treat. in f. 35 Þe sufficient nutriment of þe herte is y-sutillid þoruȝ þe vertu of þe herte, and is y-sent vn to þe pitt of þe middil wal of þe herte. a1625 J. Fletcher (1640) iv. 43 A fire subtle ye, are ye so crafty. the mind > attention and judgement > discovery > invention, devising > invent, devise [verb (transitive)] > cleverly c1400 (c1378) W. Langland (Laud 581) (1869) B. xix. l. 454 (MED) Eche man sotileth a sleight synne forto hyde. c1400 (c1378) W. Langland (Laud 581) (1869) B. x. l. 214 Alle þise science[s] I my-self sotiled and ordeyned. a1425 (?a1400) G. Chaucer (Hunterian) (1891) l. 4871 Therfore sette kynde therynne delite For men therynne shulde hem delite And of that deede be not erke..This hadde sotille [read sotilled; Fr. i soutiva] dame Nature. 1916 E. Percy & W. B. Nichols v. 126 A sudden soft hand, the fragrance of the flesh, the rich voice subtled to a whisper! 1963 16 Oct. 19/1 Turquoise tweed skirt with bright green top, subtled with a pale blue blouse. 1984 (Nexis) 3 Oct. e1 Willan, the school's founder, translated and explained that a Parisian chef ‘softens and subtles the flavors of regional dishes’. 2004 L. Bradley 109 I needed to work on subtling my method of visual detection, which consisted of a hard stare, often accompanied by a dropped open mouth. Derivatives the world > matter > constitution of matter > lack of density > [noun] > reduction in density > rarefaction the mind > mental capacity > understanding > reason, faculty of reasoning > misleading argument, sophistry > excessive subtlety, hair-splitting > [noun] > action of a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus (BL Add. 27944) (1975) II. xix. xi. 1284 White coloure is ygendred for þynnynge and sotylyng of parties of þe matiere. c1449 R. Pecock (1860) 195 Of al such craft and sutiling ouȝten alle Cristen men be waar, that thei therbi be not bigilid. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2012; most recently modified version published online March 2022). <  adj.n.c1300 v.c1300 |
