subtile

English

Etymology

From Latin subtilis (“fine, thin, slender, delicate”), perhaps, from sub (“under”) + tela (“a web, fabric”). See tela, toil.

Adjective

subtile (comparative subtiler, superlative subtilest)

  1. (obsolete) subtle
    • 1819, Francis Bacon, The Works of Francis Bacon, volume 2, page 2:
      And sometimes this perception, in some kind of bodies, is far more subtile than the sense; so that the sense is but a dull thing in comparison of it: we see a weather-glass will find the least difference of the weather, in heat, or cold, when men find it not.
    • 1889, Henry James, The Solution.
      I burst into mirth at this—I liked him even better when he was subtile than when he was simple.

Derived terms

Further reading

  • subtile in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
  • subtile in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911

French

Adjective

subtile

  1. feminine singular of subtil

German

Adjective

subtile

  1. inflected form of subtil

Latin

Adjective

subtīle

  1. nominative neuter singular of subtīlis
  2. accusative neuter singular of subtīlis
  3. vocative neuter singular of subtīlis

References

Swedish

Adjective

subtile

  1. absolute definite natural masculine form of subtil.
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