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 : ingenious
4 : 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