subtle

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   difficult to detect or grasp by the mind or analyze

   Their whole attitude had undergone a subtle change.

2. 2
   adj

   able to make fine distinctions

   a subtle mind

3. 3
   adj

   Senses relating to tangible things.

   The mighty Magnet from the Center darts / This ſtrong, tho' ſubtile Force, thro' all the Parts: / Its active Rays ejaculated thence, / Irradiate all the wide Circumference.

4. 4
   verb

   To burn (someone or something) to ash.

   A fire ſubtle ye, are ye ſo crafty.

5. 5
   adj

   working or spreading in a hidden and usually injurious way

6. 6
   adj

   Senses relating to intangible things.

7. 7
   noun

   People or things that are subtle (adjective sense) as a class.

8. 8
   verb

   To make (something) subtle (“giving only a slight impression; also, skilfully restrained or understated”).

Etymology

The adjective is derived from Middle English sotil, soubtil, subtil (“of a person, the mind, etc.: clever, ingenious, penetrating; cunning, sly; insidious; delicate, fine; not dense, light, thin; finely powdered; narrow, slender; etc.”), borrowed from Anglo-Norman sotel, subtil, sutil, Middle French soutil, subtil, sutil, and Old French sotil, soutil, subtil, sutil (“of an object: skilfully designed or made; delicate, fine; slender, thin; of an intangible thing: difficult to understand; of a person: discerning, shrewd; devious, sly; etc.”) (modern French subtil), from Latin subtīlis (“of textu…