Forms: 4–6 subtyl, -yll, 4–7 -ill, (4 soubtil, -tiel, 5 subtille, 5–6 -tyle, 6 -tylle, Sc. -tel(l, sobtyll, suptel), 4– subtil, subtile. [a. F. subtil (from 14th c.), latinized refashioning of OF. s(o)util SUBTLE a.]
1. Chiefly of fluids: Not dense, thin, rarefied; penetrating, etc., by reason of tenuity; = SUBTLE a. 1.
1390. Gower, Conf., III. 92. This soubtil water myhtely … The strengthe of therthe perceth ofte.
1398. Trevisa, Barth. De P. R., III. xvii. (1495), 63. Subtyl humour temprith and purith that that is in the lymmes of the syȝte. Ibid., V. xix. 124. The ayre and brethe drawen in by the mouth is amended and puryd, and made subtyll therin.
a. 1425. trans. Arderne’s Treat. Fistula, etc. 59. If it be for humour, þat is … for it is scharp, or subtile, or watrye.
1509. Fisher, Funeral Serm. C’tess Richmond, Wks. (1876), 304. It [sc. the risen body] shall be subtyle that it shall perce thorowe the stone walles.
c. 1530. Judic. Urines, II. xii. 41 b. It maketh the vryne subtyle and thynne.
1533. Elyot, Cast. Helthe, 33. The rayne water … is most subtyl & penetratiue.
1590. Spenser, F. Q., III. vii. 39. An Egle, that with plumy wings doth sheare The subtile ayre.
1616. Surfl. & Markh., Country Farm, 630. The … red-like wines which are of a thin and subtile substance.
c. 1645. Howell, Lett. (1655), IV. I. 120. As if they had som subtile invisible Atomes wherby they [sc. thoughts] operat.
1661. Lovell, Hist. Anim. & Min., 150. The fat, is hot, subtile and better than the rest.
1742. Lond. & Country Brewer, III. (ed. 2), 233. By the subtile Salts of the Lime, it will make its way into the Pores … of the Wood.
a. 1774. Goldsm., Surv. Exp. Philos. (1776), II. 4. Some have thought that air is nothing more than earth or water expanded and assuming a more subtil form.
1784. Cowper, Task, VI. 135. The vital energy that mov’d … the pure and subtile lymph Through th’imperceptible meand’ring veins Of leaf and flow’r.
1839. Hallam, Lit. Eur., III. iii. § 149. The belief in ghosts, or spirits of subtile bodies.
1858. Sears, Athan., xviii. 160. The luminiferous ether is still more subtile, and eludes the analysis of the chemist.
1872. J. G. Murphy, Comm. Lev. vii. 37. The fat and the flesh turned by the fire of the altar into a subtile fume.
transf. 1642. H. More, Song of Soul, II. ii. III. 18. Corporeall wight such subtile virtue never has.
1844. Emerson, Nature, Discipline, Wks. (Bohn), II. 158. The air resembles the light which traverses it with more subtile currents.
fig. 1681–6. J. Scott, Chr. Life (1747), III. 628. The Arguments of it would be too thin and subtil for vulgar Capacities.
1829. I. Taylor, Enthus., ii. (1867), 22. The region of abstract conceptions … has an atmosphere too subtile to support the health of true piety.
b. Subtile matter: see MATTER sb.1 5 b.
† c. Of a voice: Thin. Obs.
1398. Trevisa, Barth. De P. R., XIX. cxxxi. (1495), 942. In subtyll voys the spyryte is not stronge.
2. Of fine or delicate texture; also, delicately formed or molded; = SUBTLE a. 2.
c. 1381. Chaucer, Parl. Foules, 272. A subtyl couercheif of valence.
1398. Trevisa, Barth. De P. R., III. ix. (1495), 54. The soule that yeueth felynge hathe place in the moost subtill chambres of the brayne.
1474. Caxton, Chesse, III. i. (1883), 79. More subtile & more deyntous metes.
1481. Caxton, Myrr., II. x. f viij. Trees the whiche in stede of leues bere wulle of whiche is made cloth right fair & subtyle.
1579. Langham, Gard. Health, 535. Rose water … maketh the skinne subtill and thinne.
1599. Sir J. Davies, Nosce Teipsum, II. 12. I do distinguish plaine Each subtill line of her immortall face. Ibid., 11. Her subtile forme thou onely canst define.
1608. B. Jonson, Masques, Beauty, Wks. (1616), 906. A thinne subtile vaile ouer her haire.
a. 1648. Digby, Closet Opened (1677), 90. Strain the[m] clean through a subtil strainer.
1668. Culpepper & Cole, Barthol. Anat., I. xiv. 33. A certain little lobe … compassed with a thin and subtile Membrane.
3. Of small thickness, thin, fine; = SUBTLE a. 3.
a. 1425. trans. Arderne’s Treat. Fistula, etc. 68. Wolle y-tesed or subtile stupez of line.
1555. Eden, Decades (Arb.), 222. He putteth his toonge to one of the ryftes … being as subtyle as the edge of a swoorde.
1612. Shelton, Quix. (1620), I. iii. 18. Some slight and subtill wallets, which could scarce be perceiued.
1616. B. Jonson, Devil an Ass, Prol. 5. Though you presume Satan a subtill thing, And may haue heard hee’s worne in a thumbe-ring.
1665. Boyle, Occas. Refl., IV. iv. 69. The subtil threds of Silk-worms.
1742. Pope, Dunc., IV. 590. Arachne’s subtile line.
fig. 1870. Lowell, Among My Books, Ser. I. (1873), 158. Every subtilest fibre of feeling.
† b. Of ships: Narrow, slender. Cf. OF. galere subtile. Obs.
c. 1489. Caxton, Blanchardyn, 151. xxx grete shyppes and four score galeys subtyl.
1599. Hakluyt, Voy., II. i. 78. Gallies, aswell bastards as subtill mahonnets.
4. Of powder, etc.: Fine, minute; = SUBTLE a. 4.
a. 1425. trans. Arderne’s Treat. Fistula, etc. 41. Þe moste subtile mele of barly.
1513. Life Hen. V. (1911), 110. Many heapes of sand, wch was so subtill and smale, that it mooued wth everie wynde.
1545. Raynalde, Byrth Mankynde (1552), 136 b. Beynge fyrst beaten to subtyle powdre.
c. 1600. Chapman, Iliad, IX. 629. The subtile fruit of flax.
1682. K. Digby, Chym. Secrets, 77. Take Antimony Mineral … in subtil Powder.
1697. Headrich, Arcana Philos., 30. Of this Marchasite … make a subtile Powder.
1797. Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3), XI. 447/1. Beat your ore into a most subtile powder.
5. Involving careful discrimination or fine points; † difficult, abstruse; = SUBTLE a. 5.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Man of Law’s T., 80. Many a subtil resoun forth they leyden.
1390. Gower, Conf., III. 331. In proverbe and in probleme Sche spak, and bad he scholde deme In many soubtil question.
1456. Sir G. Haye, Law Arms (S.T.S.), 14. It be sum part subtile to understand.
1560. Daus, trans. Sleidane’s Comm., 13 b. Let vs not throughe a subtill interpretation accompt king Charles a Germaine.
1565. Cooper, Thesaurus, s.v. Abstrusior, Disputatio abstrusior, a more subtill, hard, or obscure disputacion.
1598. Stow, Surv., 44. Halfe pence and Farthinges, the account of which is more subtiller then the pence.
1610. Holland, Camden’s Brit., 352. [Odo] was committed to prison by a subtile distinction, as Earle of Kent, and not Bishop of Baieux.
1651. Hobbes, Leviathan, I. xv. 79. This may seem too subtile a deduction of the Lawes of Nature, to be taken notice of by all men.
1664. Comenius’ Janua Ling., 755. The study of the Mathematicks is as profitable, as subtil (deep).
1788. Reid, Active Powers, III. iv. 162. There has been much subtile disputation in ancient and modern times.
6. Fine, delicate; = SUBTLE a. 6.
1599. Sir J. Davies, Nosce Teipsum, II. Introd. xxiv. But of that clocke within our breasts we beare, The subtill motions we forget the while.
1625. B. Jonson, Staple of N., II. iv. 164. Like a knitting needle, To serve by subtill turnes.
1634. W. Tirwhyt, trans. Balzac’s Lett. (vol. I.), 305. Those other more fine, and subtile vertues I cannot learne at Court.
1752. Hume, Pol. Disc., i. 3. Some principles … which may seem too refin’d and subtile for such vulgar subjects.
1858. Longf., M. Standish, VI. 4. As if thought had the power to draw to itself … Whatsoever it touches, by subtile laws of its nature.
1871. Edin. Rev., April, 428. The subtilest differences of perception and emotion.
1885. F. B. Van Voorst, Without a Compass, 20. Those intricate questions that possess so subtile a charm.
1888. E. Clodd, Story Creation, xi. 216. Their subtile shades of meaning.
† 7. Of persons: Clever, dexterous, skilful; = SUBTLE a. 7. Obs.
c. 1374. Chaucer, Anel. & Arc., 88. He was … subtill in þat Crafte. Ibid. (c. 1385), L. G. W., 672. Sche … made hire subtyl werkemen make a schryne.
1390. Gower, Conf., III. 114. It causeth yit A man to be soubtil of wit To worche in gold.
c. 1450. Merlin, i. 21. This Blase was a nobill clerk and subtile.
1456. Sir G. Haye, Law Arms (S.T.S.), 38. [He] was rycht subtile in spech of Latyn.
c. 1489. Caxton, Sonnes of Aymon, xi. 277. He was the subtillest nygramancer that ever was in the worlde.
† 8. Cleverly devised; ingeniously contrived; ingenious; = SUBTLE a. 8. Obs.
c. 1384. Chaucer, H. Fame, 1188. Many subtile compassinges Babewynnes and pynacles Ymageries and tabernacles I say.
1390. Gower, Conf., III. 40. A wonder soubtil thing he wroghte.
c. 1391. Chaucer, Astrol., II. § 40. I tok a subtil compas.
1484. Caxton (title), Here begynneth the book of the subtyl historyes and Fables of Esope.
1577–87. Holinshed, Chron., III. 833/2. Blew veluet and cloach of siluer, all to cut in subtill knots.
1585. T. Washington, trans. Nicholay’s Voy., I. viii. By great artifice and subtill architecture builded.
1659. Leak, Water-works, 23. A very Subtile Engin, to raise a standing Water, by means of the Sun.
9. Of persons, animals, their actions, etc.: Crafty, artful, sly, cunning; = SUBTLE a. 10.
c. 1385. Chaucer, L. G. W., 2559. Be war ȝe wemen of ȝoure subtyl fo.
1386. Rolls of Parlt., III. 225/1. Many wronges subtiles, and also open oppressions.
1390. Gower, Conf., I. 231. To voide with a soubtil hond The beste goodes of the lond And bringe chaf and take corn.
1513. Douglas, Æneis, VI. ii. 43. In subtell wordis of obscurite Involupand the trewth and verite.
1549. Latimer, Ploughers (Arb.), 32. He goeth aboute bi his sleyghtes and subtyle meanes, to frustrate the same.
1575. Gascoigne, Kenelworth, Wks. 1910, II. 108. In sweetest flowres the subtyll Snakes may lurke.
1591. Shaks., Two Gent., IV. ii. 95. Thou subtile, periur’d, false, disloyall man.
1611. Bible, Gen. iii. 1. The serpent was more subtill [Coverdale sotyller] then any beast of the field.
1628. Feltham, Resolves, II. ix. 23. Taken with the subtile cozenages of Vice.
1634. Sir T. Herbert, Trav., 199. Their [crocodiles’] condition is subtile (such their bloudie teares when they haue deuoured a man proue them for).
1646. Sir T. Browne, Pseud. Ep., I. iii. (1686), 8. They are mocked into Error by subtiler devisors.
1719. De Foe, Crusoe, I. 71. The Goats were so shy, so subtile, and so swift of Foot.
1814. Southey, Roderick, X. 346. And with such subtile toils enveloped him.
1850. Hare, Mission Comf., 137. To overcome sin’s fiercest and subtilest temptations.
† b. Of looks: Sly. Obs.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Squires T., 277. Swich subtil lookyng and dissymelynges.
1500–20. Dunbar, Poems, lxxxiv. 35. Be subtill winkis, and thair desaitfull talis.
1513. Douglas, Æneis, VII. Prol. 100. Hir subtell blenkis sched and wattry lycht.
10. Characterized by sagacity or penetration; discriminating, discerning; SUBTLE a. 9.
1474. Caxton, Chesse, II. v. (1883), 65. Ther was a kynge of so subtyll engyne That [etc.].
a. 1533. Ld. Berners, Huon, lvii. 194. Frenchemen are ryght subtyl in gyuyng of good counsell. Ibid. Gerames, who was subtyl, wel perceyued the mynde of the lady.
1600. Shaks., A. Y. L., I. iii. 79. She is too subtile for thee.
1611. Bible, 2 Sam. xiii. 3. Ionadab was a very subtill man.
1612. Bacon, Ess. Studies (Arb.), 11. Histories make men wise, Poets wittie, the Mathematickes subtill [1598 subtle].
1691. Ray, Creation, I. (1692), 71. How or why that should have such influence upon the Spirits … I am not subtil enough to discern.
1718. Prior, Solomon, II. 224. With subtil Wit and fair Discourse.
1741. ‘T. Betterton,’ Hist. Engl. Stage, iii. 34. This was a Nicety in Acting that none but the most subtile Player could so much as conceive.
1826. Disraeli, Viv. Grey, V. vi. 200. The most subtile diplomatist.
1875. Stedman, Vict. Poets (1887), xi. 411. A subtile observer would perceive how truly he [sc. Shelley] represents his own time.
11. Of feeling, sense: Acute, keen.
1610. Guillim, Heraldry, III. v. (1660), 123. By reason that our sight is far more subtill and apprehensive than is our hearing.
1662. J. Davies, trans. Olearius’ Voy. Ambass., 2. The stinch also offends it, and makes those heart-sick whose smelling is subtile.
1718. Prior, Solomon, III. 136. Pass we the slow Disease, and subtil Pain.
1721. R. Bradley, Philos. Acc. Wks. Nat., 54. In which I suppose there is contained their most Subtile sense of feeling.
1847. Longf., Evang., II. iv. A secret Subtile sense crept in of pain.
1913. Dorland, Med. Dict. (ed. 7), 917/2. Subtile, keen and acute, as, a subtile pain.
12. † a. Of weight, after tare has been deducted. Cf. SUBTLE a. 12. Obs.
1502. Arnolde, Chron. (1811), p. xvi. The rekenynge of grocery, and weight sobtyll and grosse.
1660. T. Willsford, Scales Comm., 107. What those gross or subtile summes do make in pence.
† b. Of a quantity: Belonging to a lower denomination. Obs.
15[?]. MS. Harl. 660, lf. 81 b. Euery subtylle grayne [doth] contayne 20 mytes.
1542. Recorde, Gr. Artes (1640), 120. Whatsoever thing is compared to other, if it be greater, and containeth many of them, it is a grosse denomination: but if it be lesser … then are they called the subtile denominations.
1579. Digges, Stratiot., I. vi. 10. Grosse to subtile by Multiplication, Subtile, to grosse by partition is perfourmed.
13. Comb., as subtile-pated, -witted adjs.
1591. Shaks., 1 Hen. VI., I. i. 25. The subtile-witted French.
c. 1595. Donne, Sat., i. 62. Our subtile-witted antique youths.
1655. Gurnall, Chr. in Arm., I. 103. The subtilest-pated men.
† B. sb. pl. Fluids. Obs. rare.
a. 1585. Montgomerie, Sonn., lvi. 9. Suppose the solids subtilis ay restrantis.
