(especially of a change or distinction) so delicate or precise as to be difficult to analyse or describe (尤指变化或差别)微妙的;细微的;难以描述的;难以分析的 his language expresses rich and subtle meanings. 他的语言表达了丰富,深奥的意义。 ■(of a mixture or effect) delicately complex and understated (混合物,效果)精细复杂的;轻描淡写的;隐约的 subtle lighting. 隐隐约约的灯光。 ■making use of clever and indirect methods to achieve something 灵活迂回的,巧妙的 he tried a more subtle approach. 他试了一种更巧妙的方法。 ■capable of making fine distinctions 敏锐的 a subtle mind. 敏锐的头脑。 ■arranged in an ingenious and elaborate way 精妙的,精巧的;精湛的 ■(archaic)crafty; cunning (古)狡猾的,狡诈的
派生 subtleness noun subtly adverb 语源
Middle English (also in the sense 'not easily understood'): from Old French sotil, from Latin subtilis