All 4 Uses of
subtle
in
Babbitt
- With the subtleties of dressing ran other complex worries.†
Chpt 1 *subtleties = things that are not obvious, but noticeable by someone with adequate sensitivity and relevant knowledge
- He did not confuse audiences by silly subtleties; Prout represented honest industry, Seneca Doane represented whining laziness, and you could take your choice.†
Chpt 14
- "The whole thing is," he explained to Paul Riesling, "these old codgers lack the subtlety that you got to have to-day."†
Chpt 6 *
- At home he was interested only when he was asked to trace some subtle ill in the ignition system of the car.†
Chpt 18
Definitions:
-
(1)
(subtle as in: a subtle poison) working in an indirect or hidden way
-
(2)
(subtle as in: a subtle shade of blue) understated so as not to draw excess attention
-
(3)
(subtle as in: a subtle difference or thinker) not obvious, but noticeable with enough insight and knowledge
or:
able to notice or understand things that require insight and sensitivity