Obs. [f. SUBTILE a. + -NESS.]
1. Thinness, tenuity.
1398. Trevisa, Barth. De P. R., IV. i. (1495), e iij b/2. The symplynes of a boystous thynge is subtylnes in that comyth in by wythdrawynge of fastnes & thycnes of partyes.
1528. Paynell, Salerne’s Regim., b iv. The subtilnes [ed. 1541, subtile parte] of the bloud burneth hit selfe and tourneth in to coler and grossely into melancoly.
1597. A. M., trans. Guillemeau’s Fr. Chirurg., 41/1. Because of the subtilenes thereof [sc. of the cautery], and the virtues of his substance.
1617. Moryson, Itin., III. 45. The subtilenesse of the Ayre.
1676. Wiseman, Chirurg. Treat., I. vi. 34. The Erysipelas à Sanguine bilioso, from cholerick Bloud,… affects onely the outward Parts, none of which escape its tenuity and subtilnes.
2. Cunning, craftiness.
1474. Caxton, Chesse, II. v. (1883), 60. Thou hast vaynquyshid them … by thy newe deceyuable falsenes and by subtilnes.
1509. Hawes, Past. Pleas., XX. iv. (1555), M iij b. Ye shall be ryght well vyctoryous Of all your enemyes so full of subtylnes.
c. 1511. 1st Engl. Bk. Amer. (Arb.), Introd. 33/2. The Lyon sleeth the vnicorne with subtylnes.
1641. Earl Monm., trans. Biondi’s Civil Wars, III. 123. Had the Dolphin lived he had runne no danger; for in time he might easily have won him by his subtilnesse.
3. Subtlety (of argument).
1591. Greene, Farew. to Folly, Wks. (Grosart), IX. 251. As well to imitate Aristotle in the sumptuousnes of his apparell as the subtilnesse of his arguments.
