Both Uses of
subtle
in
The War of the Worlds
- The Martians seem to have calculated their descent with amazing subtlety—their mathematical learning is evidently far in excess of ours—and to have carried out their preparations with a well-nigh perfect unanimity.†
Chpt 1.1
- He presented them as tilted, stiff tripods, without either flexibility or subtlety, and with an altogether misleading monotony of effect.†
Chpt 2.2 *
Definition:
-
(subtle as in: a subtle difference or thinker) not obvious, but understandable by someone with adequate sensitivity and relevant knowledge (perhaps depending upon fine distinctions)
or:
capable of understanding things that require sensitivity and relevant knowledge (perhaps understanding fine distinctions)