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subtle

 - 2 dictionary results

sub⋅tle

  [suht-l]
Use subtle in a Sentence
–adjective, -tler, -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.
6. cunning, wily, or crafty: a subtle liar.
7. insidious in operation: subtle poison.
8. skillful, clever, or ingenious: a subtle painter.
Origin:
1250–1300; ME sotil < OF < L subtīlis subtile (b of mod. sp. < L)

Related forms:
sub⋅tle⋅ness, noun
subtly, adverb

Synonyms:
6. sly, tricky, foxy, slick.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To subtle
sub·tle   (sŭt'l)   
adj.   sub·tler, sub·tlest

    1. So slight as to be difficult to detect or describe; elusive: a subtle smile.

    2. Difficult to understand; abstruse: an argument whose subtle point was lost on her opponent.

    3. Characterized by skill or ingenuity; clever.

    4. Crafty or sly; devious.

    5. Operating in a hidden, usually injurious way; insidious: a subtle poison.

  2. Able to make fine distinctions: a subtle mind.

    1. Characterized by skill or ingenuity; clever.

    2. Crafty or sly; devious.

    3. Operating in a hidden, usually injurious way; insidious: a subtle poison.


[Middle English sotil, from Old French, from Latin subtīlis; see teks- in Indo-European roots.]
sub'tle·ness n., sub'tly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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