Main Entry:

sub·tle

Pronunciation:

\ˈsə-t^əl\

Function:

adjective

Inflected Form(s):

sub·tler \ˈsət-lər, ˈsə-t^əl-ər\ ; sub·tlest \ˈsət-ləst, ˈsə-t^əl-əst\

Etymology:

Middle English sotil, subtile, from Anglo-French, from Latin subtilis, literally, finely textured, from sub- + tela cloth on a loom; akin to Latin texere to weave — more at technical

Date:

14th century

1 a: delicate, elusive <a subtle fragrance> b: difficult to understand or perceive : obscure <subtle differences in sound>2 a: perceptive, refined <a writer's sharp and subtle moral sense> b: having or marked by keen insight and ability to penetrate deeply and thoroughly <a subtle scholar>3 a: highly skillful : expert <a subtle craftsman> b: cunningly made or contrived : ingenious4: artful, crafty <a subtle rogue>5: operating insidiously <subtle poisons>

— sub·tle·ness \ˈsə-t^əl-nəs\ noun

— sub·tly \ˈsət-lē, ˈsə-t^əl-(l)ē\ adverb