subtle
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Contents |
English
Alternative forms
Etymology
From Middle English sotil, subtil, from Old French soutil, later subtil, French subtil, from Latin subtilis (“fine, thin, slender, delicate”); probably, originally, “woven fine”, and from sub (“under”) + tela (“a web”), from texere (“to weave”).
Pronunciation
Adjective
subtle (comparative subtler, superlative subtlest)
- Hard to grasp; not obvious or easily understood; barely noticeable.
- The difference is subtle, but you can hear it if you listen carefully.
- (of a thing) Cleverly contrived.
- (of a person or animal) Cunning, skillful.
- insidious
- 1623, William Shakespeare, The Tragedy of Richard the Third, act iv, scene 4,
- Thy age confirmed, proud, subtle, bloody, treacherous.
- 1623, William Shakespeare, The Tragedy of Richard the Third, act iv, scene 4,
- Tenuous; rarefied; of low density or thin consistency.
Synonyms
Antonyms
- (hard to grasp): simple
Related terms
Translations
hard to grasp
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cleverly contrived
cunning, skillful
insidious
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Translations to be checked
References
- subtle in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911
- subtle in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
- Oxford English Dictionary, Second Edition, 1989
