subtle

• adj. 微妙的；精细的；敏感的；狡猾的；稀薄的

来自古法语 subtil,来自拉丁语 subtilis,精细的，精致的，来自 sub,向下，在下，-tilis,网的， 来自 tela,网，词源同 toilet,toiletry.其字面意思可能是网中网，因此要求更巧妙的编织技术， 引申诸相关词义。

1. be difficult to detect or grasp by the mind;

"his whole attitude had undergone a subtle change"

"a subtle difference"

"that elusive thing the soul"

2. faint and difficult to analyze;

"subtle aromas"

3. able to make fine distinctions;

"a subtle mind"

4. working or spreading in a hidden and usually injurious way;

"glaucoma is an insidious disease"

"a subtle poison"

subtle

subtle: [14] Latin subtīlis, the ultimate source of English subtle, seems to have originated as a weaving term. It probably goes back ultimately to the phrase sub tēla ‘beneath the lengthwise threads in a loom’ (tēla, source of English toilet and toils, was a contraction of *texla, a relative of English textile). As this was lexicalized via *subtēlis to subtīlis, it developed the meaning ‘finely woven’, which subsequently broadened out to ‘fine, thin’. By the time it reached English, via Old French sutil, it had evolved further, to ‘making fine discriminations’.
=> textile, toilet

subtle (adj.)

c. 1300 (mid-13c. as a surname), sotil, "penetrating; ingenious; refined" (of the mind); "sophisticated, intricate, abstruse" (of arguments), from Old French sotil, soutil, subtil "adept, adroit; cunning, wise; detailed; well-crafted" (12c., Modern French subtil), from Latin subtilis "fine, thin, delicate, finely woven;" figuratively "precise, exact, accurate," in taste or judgment, "fine, keen," of style, "plain, simple, direct," from sub "under" (see sub-) + -tilis, from tela "web, net, warp of a fabric" (see texture (n.)).

From early 14c. in reference to things, "of thin consistency;" in reference to craftsmen, "cunning, skilled, clever;" Depreciative sense "insidious, treacherously cunning; deceitful" is from mid-14c. Material senses of "not dense or viscous, light; pure; delicate, thin, slender; fine, consisting of small particles" are from late 14c. sotil wares were goods sold in powdered form or finely ground. Partially re-Latinized in spelling, and also by confusion with subtile.

delicate, fine, subtle

这3个形容词均含"微妙的，细微的"之意。

delicate： 侧重指需要谨慎处理和对待。

fine： 隐含"不易察觉的"意味。

subtle： 侧重有洞察、领悟事物细微差别以及微妙关系的能力。

The tests are designed to detect subtle ( ' , 细微的) changes in mental function, and involve solving puzzles, recalling words and details from stories, and identifying patterns in collections of letters and symbols.

出自-2016年6月阅读原文

The tests are designed to detect subtle changes in mental function, and involve solving puzzles, recalling words and details from stories, and identifying patterns in collections of letters and symbol.

2016年6月四级真题（第一套）阅读 Section C

LOL has evolved into something much subtler and sophisticated and is used even when nothing is remotely amusing.

出自-2014年6月阅读原文

Critics point out that, by giving Google the right to commercially exploit its database, the settlement paves the way for a subtle shift in the company's role from provider of information to seller.

出自-2011年12月阅读原文

Often the advantages of convenient, mobile technology are both obvious and taken for granted, leaving more subtle topics for concerned discussion.

2018年12月六级真题（第一套）阅读 Section C

This ，however， would be a knee-jerk reaction to a subtle argument.

出自-2011年考研翻译原文

The subtle and intelligent little book The Marketplace of Ideas: Reform and Resistance in the American University should be read by every student thinking of applying to take a doctoral degree.

出自-2011年考研阅读原文

This is a subtle form of peer pressure: we unconsciously imitate the behavior we see every day.

出自-2012年考研阅读原文

But the headlong push into bachelor's degrees for all—and the subtle devaluing of anything less—misses an important point: That's not the only thing the American economy needs.

2018年考研真题（英语二）阅读理解 Section Ⅱ

subtle colours/flavours/smells, etc.

淡淡的色彩、味道、气味等

牛津词典

There are subtle differences between the two versions.

两个版本之间有一些细微的差异。

牛津词典

She's been dropping subtle hints about what she'd like as a present.

她不断隐隐暗示她喜欢什么样的礼物。

牛津词典

I decided to try a more subtle approach.

我决定智取。

牛津词典

a subtle plan

巧妙的计划

牛津词典

a subtle use of lighting in the play

灯光在剧中的巧妙运用

牛津词典

The job required a subtle mind.

那项工作需要一个头脑敏锐的人去做。

牛津词典

Her version of events is subtly different from what actually happened.

她对事件的描述跟实际发生的情况有些微妙的出入。

牛津词典

Not very subtly, he raised the subject of money.

他没有拐弯抹角，直接提出了钱的问题。

牛津词典

...the slow and subtle changes that take place in all living things...

发生在所有生物身上的缓慢而细微的变化

柯林斯高阶英语词典

Intolerance can take subtler forms too.

过敏反应也可能会表现得很不明显。

柯林斯高阶英语词典

I even began to exploit him in subtle ways...

我甚至开始巧妙地利用他。

柯林斯高阶英语词典

He is a subtle character, you know.

你知道他为人狡猾。

柯林斯高阶英语词典

...subtle shades of brown.

淡棕色

柯林斯高阶英语词典

...delightfully subtle scents.

怡人的淡淡香气

柯林斯高阶英语词典

Note the subtle gradation of / in colour in this painting.

注意这幅画中色彩的细微变化.

辞典例句

Her training warned her of peril and of the wrong, subtle, mysterious, luring.

她的教养警告她:有危险,要出错儿, 这是微妙 、 神秘而又诱人的.

辞典例句

The art of origamiisfragile, light and subtle and the digital process is the same.

折纸艺术是懦弱的和奥妙的这与数字化的进程是雷同的.

期刊摘选

Her subtle furniture designs made room for the bright swaths of color.

她精细的家具设计为家增添了一道道明丽的彩色风景.

期刊摘选

You have some subtle thought and it comes out like a piece of broken bottle.

你有一些绝妙的想法,可是一说出来却象是破瓶子的一片碎片.

期刊摘选

A detailed analysis of the painting Bacchus and Ariadne thus reveals a complex and subtle structure.

通过对《巴克斯与阿里阿德涅》细节的分析,可以揭示出作品复杂而微妙的结构.

期刊摘选

But in many cases the pain may be subtle or even completely absent.

但在许多病例中,这种疼痛不易察觉甚至完全感觉不到.

期刊摘选

Her whole attitude had undergone a subtle change.

她的整个态度发生了微妙的变化.

《简明英汉词典》

There are subtle differences in meaning.

意义上有微妙的差别.

期刊摘选

By being subtle rather than obvious, you avoid appearing naive.

低调而不张扬, 你就不会显得很幼稚.

期刊摘选