Obs. [ad. med.L. subtīliātio, -ōnem (Albertus Magnus), n. of action f. subtīliāre (see prec.). Cf. OF. subtiliation, It. sottigliazione.] The action of making a thing ‘subtile,’ thin or fine; rarefaction; purification by separating the fine parts from the coarse; reduction (of a solid) to a liquid, reduction to powder; also, the condition resulting from this; a ‘subtile’ particle, etc.
1398. Trevisa, Barth. De P. R., IV. v. (1495), 87. There is none euaporacyon, neyther delyueraunce of the superfluytees, neyther subtilyacyon of the spyrytes. Ibid., IX. i. (Tollem. MS.). Meuynge is cause of generacion and of all chaungynge of neþer þinges, and of subtiliacion of water and of þee ayer.
1471. Ripley, Comp. Alch., Pref. in Ashm. (1652), 126. Tyll thy Base by ofter subtylyatyon Wyll lyghtly flow as Wex uppon Mettall.
1594. Mirr. Policy (1599), Lj. We must first … purifie it from the earthlinesse, and … bring it to the subtiliation and simplicitie of fire.
1612. Woodall, Surg. Mate, Wks. (1653), 274. Subtiliation is dissolution, separating the subtil parts from the grosse.
1650. Charleton, Paradoxes, Prol. 19. Minute Subtiliations … interposed betwixt the … Object and the body exhalant.
1662. H. Stubbe, Indian Nectar, iii. 34. The due comminution, and subtiliation of food.
1678. R. Russell, trans. Geber, I. iii. 9. Vinegars, of what kind soever, acute and harsh are cleansed by Subtiliation.
1685. Boyle, Enq. Notion Nat., 358. Rational Souls,… not capable to be produc’d by any Subtiliation or other Change of Matter whatsoever.
