All 3 Uses of
subtle
in
Turtles All the Way Down
- As we drove, Daisy struck up a wholly unsubtle conversation.
p. 29.9unsubtle = directstandard prefix: The prefix "un-" in unsubtle means not and reverses the meaning of subtle. This is the same pattern you see in words like unhappy, unknown, and unlucky.
- Holly came by with the check, an unsubtle reminder that we'd overstayed our welcome.
p. 65.7unsubtle = obviousstandard prefix: The prefix "un-" in unsubtle means not and reverses the meaning of subtle. This is the same pattern you see in words like unhappy, unknown, and unlucky.
- I pulled away as subtly as I could manage.
p. 180.1 *subtly = in a manner that does not draw attention
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