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subtile. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
subtile, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
subtile in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
subtile you have here. The definition of the word
subtile will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
subtile, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Etymology
From Latin subtilis (“fine, thin, slender, delicate”).
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /ˈsʌt.əl/, /ˈsʌb.tɪl/, /ˈsʌb.təl/
Adjective
subtile (comparative subtiler, superlative subtilest)
- Obsolete form of 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.
1888, Henry James, chapter 2, in 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, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.
- “subtile”, in The Century Dictionary , New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911, →OCLC.
French
Pronunciation
Adjective
subtile
- feminine singular of subtil
German
Pronunciation
Adjective
subtile
- inflection of subtil:
- strong/mixed nominative/accusative feminine singular
- strong nominative/accusative plural
- weak nominative all-gender singular
- weak accusative feminine/neuter singular
Latin
Adjective
subtīle
- nominative/accusative/vocative neuter singular of subtīlis
References
Middle English
Adjective
subtile
- Alternative form of sotil
Noun
subtile
- Alternative form of sotil
Norwegian Bokmål
Adjective
subtile
- definite singular/plural of subtil
Norwegian Nynorsk
Adjective
subtile
- definite singular/plural of subtil
Swedish
Adjective
subtile
- definite natural masculine singular of subtil