over subtle
l adjective, sub·tler, sub·tlest.
1.
thin, tenuous, or rarefied, as a fluid or an odor.
2.
fine or delicate in meaning or intent; difficult to perceive or understand: subtle irony.
3.
delicate or faint and mysterious: a subtle smile.
4.
requiring mental acuteness, penetration, or discernment: a subtle philosophy.
5.
characterized by mental acuteness or penetration: a subtle understanding.
Origin:
1250–1300; Middle English sotil < Old French < Latin subtīlis subtile (b of modern spelling < L)
1250–1300; Middle English sotil < Old French < Latin subtīlis subtile (b of modern spelling < L)
Related forms
sub·tle·ness, noun
sub·tly, adverb
hy·per·sub·tle, adjective
hy·per·sub·tle·ness, noun
non·sub·tle, adjective
non·sub·tle·ness, noun
non·sub·t·ly, adverb
o·ver·sub·tle, adjective
o·ver·sub·tly, adverb
pseu·do·sub·tle, adjective
pseu·do·sub·t·ly, adverb
un·sub·tle, adjective
un·sub·tle·ness, noun
un·sub·t·ly, adverb
Synonyms
6. sly, tricky, foxy, slick.
6. sly, tricky, foxy, slick.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
|
Link To over subtle
00:10
Over subtle
is always a great word to know.
So is callithumpian. Does it mean:
| a scrap or morsel of food left at a meal. |
| a children's mummer's parade, as on the Fourth of July, with prizes for the best costumes. |
Collins
World English Dictionary
subtle (ˈsʌtəl) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —adj | |
| 1. | not immediately obvious or comprehensible |
| 2. | difficult to detect or analyse, often through being delicate or highly refined: a subtle scent |
| 3. | showing or making or capable of showing or making fine distinctions of meaning |
| 4. | marked by or requiring mental acuteness or ingenuity; discriminating |
| 5. | delicate or faint: a subtle shade |
| 6. | cunning or wily: a subtle rogue |
| 7. | operating or executed in secret: a subtle intrigue |
| [C14: from Old French soutil, from Latin subtīlis finely woven] | |
| 'subtleness | |
| —n | |
| 'subtly | |
| —adv | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
subtle
c.1300, sutel, soutil, in ref. to things, "of thin consistency;" in ref. to craftsmen, "skilled, clever," from O.Fr. soutil, from L. subtilis "fine, thin, delicate, finely woven," from sub "under" + -tilis, from tela "web" and texere "to weave" (see texture). The spelling
with -b- reflects confusion with subtile. Most non-material senses were present by late 14c.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Cite This Source
Nearby Words
Copyright © 2013 Dictionary.com, LLC. All rights reserved.
