All 8 Uses
subtle
in
The Odyssey
(Auto-generated)
- I'm hardly adept at subtle conversation.
Someone my age might feel shy, what's more,
...p. 108.3 *subtle = capable of understanding things that require sensitivity and relevant knowledge (perhaps understanding fine distinctions) - and round the posts he poured the chains in a sweeping net
with streams of others flowing down from the roofbeam,
gossamer-fine as spider webs no man could see,
not even a blissful god—
the Smith had forged a masterwork of guile.
Once he'd spun that cunning trap around his bed
...
and uncontrollable laughter burst from the happy gods
when they saw the god of fire's subtle, cunning work.p. 201.9 *subtle = working in an indirect or hidden way - you actually entertained my husband as you say.
Come, tell me what sort of clothing he wore,
what cut of man was he?
What of the men who followed in his train?"
"Ah good woman,"
Odysseus, the great master of subtlety, returned,
"how hard it is to speak, after so much time
apart ….p. 397.8subtlety = something that is indirect or non-obvious -- often harmful or intentionally hidden - So long as she persists in tormenting us,
quick to exploit the gifts Athena gave her—
a skilled hand for elegant work, a fine mind
and subtle wiles too—we've never heard the like,
not even in old stories sung of all Achaea's
well-coifed queens who graced the years gone by:
Mycenae crowned with garlands, Tyro and Alcmena ...
Not one could equal Penelope for intrigue
but in this case she intrigued beyond all limits.†p. 97.2 - Plead now
with a subtle, winning word and stand well back,
don't clasp her knees, the girl might bridle, yes.†p. 173.2 - Let me tell you of all the witch's subtle craft ...
She'll mix you a potion, lace the brew with drugs
but she'll be powerless to bewitch you, even so—
this magic herb I give will fight her spells.†p. 239.6 - "My friend,
subtle Odysseus broke in, "I've no desire, myself,
to linger here.†p. 355.1 - The man was his mother's noble father, one who excelled
the world at thievery, that and subtle, shifty oaths.†p. 403.3
Definitions:
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(1)
(subtle as in: a subtle poison) working in an indirect or hidden way
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(2)
(subtle as in: a subtle shade of blue) understated so as not to draw excess attention
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(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 - (4) (meaning too rare to warrant focus)