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subtle

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The definition of something that is subtle is an indirect or very small distinction when comparing two things or ideas.

(adjective)

An example of subtle is adding a new spice to a recipe resulting in a very small change in the dish’s flavor.

See subtle in Webster's New World College Dictionary

thin; rare; tenuous; not dense or heavy: a subtle gas
1. capable of making or noticing fine distinctions in meaning, etc.: a subtle thinker
2. marked by or requiring mental keenness: subtle reasoning
delicately skillful or clever; deft or ingenious: a subtle filigree
not open or direct; crafty; sly
delicately suggestive; not grossly obvious: a subtle hint
working insidiously; not easily detected: a subtle poison

Origin: ME sotil < OFr soutil < L subtilis, fine, thin, precise, orig., closely woven < sub- (see sub-) + tela, web < *texla < texere, to weave: see technic

Related Forms:

subtleness noun
subtly adverb

See subtle in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective sub·tler, sub·tlest

a. So slight as to be difficult to detect or describe; elusive: a subtle smile.
b. Difficult to understand; abstruse: an argument whose subtle point was lost on her opponent.
Able to make fine distinctions: a subtle mind.
a. Characterized by skill or ingenuity; clever.
b. Crafty or sly; devious.
c. Operating in a hidden, usually injurious way; insidious: a subtle poison.