One entry found for subtle.
Main Entry: sub·tle
Pronunciation: 's&-t&l
Function: adjective
Inflected Form(s): sub·tler /'s&t-l&r, 's&-t&l-&r/; sub·tlest /'s&t-l&st, 's&-t&l-&st/
Etymology: Middle English sutil, sotil, from Middle French soutil, 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 b : difficult to understand or perceive : OBSCURE
2 a : PERCEPTIVE, REFINED b : having or marked by keen insight and ability to penetrate deeply and thoroughly
3 a : highly skillful : EXPERT b : cunningly made or contrived : INGENIOUS
4 : ARTFUL, CRAFTY
5 : operating insidiously
- sub·tle·ness /'s&-t&l-n&s/ noun
- sub·tly /'s&t-lE, 's&-t&l-(l)E/ adverb
Dr. Kitteny Berk almost certainly drunk,
Sun 9 Nov 2003, 21:05,
archived)