Also 6–7 -tell-. [-ING1.]
1. = SUBTILIZATION 1.
1662. Merrett, trans. Neri’s Art of Glass, xvi. Crocus Martis is nothing else but a subtilising and Calcination of Iron.
1693. trans. Blancard’s Phys. Dict. (ed. 2), 89/2. Sublimatio … is a Subtilizing of things by gradually Dissolving them, and Exalting them into a purer … degree of their own Qualities.
2. = SUBTILIZATION 2.
1596. Warner, Alb. Eng., X. lix. (1602), 262. For Salomon, diuinely wise, could Subtellizings sound.
1676. Marvell, Mr. Smirke, 20. By which sort of subtilizing the Church hath in former Ages much suffered.
1701. Norris, Ideal World, I. i. 11. A subtilising upon a fine nothing.
a. 1754. Maclaurin, Serm. & Ess. (1755), 331. These things shew the tendency of incautious subtilizing on the differences between the will and the affections.
1837. Whewell, Hist. Induct. Sci. (1857), I. 49. The love of subtilizing and commenting.
