subtile
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of subtile
1325–75; Middle English < Latin subtīlis fine (originally of fabric), equivalent to sub- sub- + -tīlis, akin to tēla cloth on a loom, loom (< *tekslā, derivative of texere to weave; see text)
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Recent scientific discoveries have conferred upon man new powers of investigation, whereby nature has been made to reveal secrets so subtile that they never had been dreamt of before in philosophy.
From Scientific American ● Jan. 13, 2013
At Paris the Universe is seen, compos’d of Vortices of subtile Matter; but nothing like it is seen in London.
From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton
Any subtile, invisible emanation, effluvium, or exhalation from a substance, as the aroma of flowers, the odor of the blood, a supposed fertilizing emanation from the pollen of flowers, etc.
From Webster's Unabridged Dictionary (2nd 100 Pages) by Webster, Noah
The question at issue here is one of those profound and subtile ones which cannot be approached by argument, but can be decided only by a seeing.
From Know the Truth; A critique of the Hamiltonian Theory of Limitation by Jones, Jesse H.
Sub′tilism, the quality of being subtile; Sub′tilty, state or quality of being subtile: fineness: extreme acuteness: cunning.
From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 4 of 4: S-Z and supplements) by Various
The Reflexion must have rather been caused by a subtiler Medium, which could recede through the Glasses at the creeping in of the Water.
From Opticks or, a Treatise of the Reflections, Refractions, Inflections, and Colours of Light by Newton, Isaac, Sir
Is not the Heat of the warm Room convey'd through the Vacuum by the Vibrations of a much subtiler Medium than Air, which after the Air was drawn out remained in the Vacuum?
From Opticks or, a Treatise of the Reflections, Refractions, Inflections, and Colours of Light by Newton, Isaac, Sir
We rather think that far subtiler things than the doctrine of association had from of old been familiar to him.
From Life of Robert Burns by Carlyle, Thomas
Bread is a binder, and for that abolisht even in their Ale, whose lost room fills an apple, which is more airy and of subtiler nature.
From The Scornful Lady by Fletcher, John
What if, through communication with subtiler organisms than my own, I could reach at a single bound the goal, which perhaps a life of agonizing mental toil would never enable me to attain?
From The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 01, No. 03, January, 1858 by Various
Truth is a point; the subtilest and finest; harder than adamant; never to be broken, worn away, or blunted.
From Imaginary Conversations and Poems A Selection by Landor, Walter Savage
As for me, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are now only the subtilest imaginable essences, which would not stain the morning sky.
From A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers by Thoreau, Henry David
The notion of nonentity may thus be called the parent of the philosophic craving in its subtilest and profoundest sense.
From The Will to Believe : and Other Essays in Popular Philosophy by James, William
He saw it was lovable, and he made it the theme of his noblest poems, his subtilest philosophies, and his highest Art.
From The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 07, No. 44, June, 1861 Creator by Various
A book might be written on the Stratagems of Literature, as Frontinus has composed one on War, and among its subtilest heroes we might place this great poet.
From Calamities and Quarrels of Authors by Disraeli, Isaac
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
