subtilize

American  

[suht-l-ahyz, suhb-tuh-lahyz] / ˈsʌt lˌaɪz, ˈsʌb təˌlaɪz /

especially British, subtilise

verb (used with object)

subtilized, subtilizing

1. to elevate in character; sublimate.

2. to make (the mind, senses, etc.) keen or discerning; sharpen.

3. to introduce subtleties into or argue subtly about.

4. to make thin, rare, or more fluid or volatile; refine.

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verb (used without object)

subtilized, subtilizing

1. to make subtle distinctions or to argue subtly.

subtilize British  

/ ˈsʌtɪˌlaɪz /

verb

1. (tr) to bring to a purer state; refine

2. to debate subtly

3. (tr) to make (the mind, etc) keener

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Other Word Forms

• subtilization noun
• subtilizer noun
• supersubtilized adjective

Etymology

Origin of subtilize

1585–95; < Medieval Latin subtīlizāre, equivalent to subtīl ( is ) subtle + -izāre -ize

Example Sentences

The spiritual comprehension may be infinitely subtilized, but the raw material it operates upon must remain.

From Project Gutenberg

The risk in subtilizing stage character lies just here.

From Project Gutenberg

Theosophy—and a large share of what is called theology—is simply a refining and subtilizing of mythology.

From Project Gutenberg

However abstractly they speculate and subtilize, there is always an undigested bone of man-god, god-man, and vicarious atonement in the theological stomach.

From Project Gutenberg

The sight of the well-ordered writing-table subtilized for a moment his sense of her desertion.

From Project Gutenberg