The word for today is…
subtle (adjective) -
1a: pleasing to the senses in a mild or nuanced way : delicate, elusive
b: difficult to understand or perceive : obscure sense 1c
c: clever and indirect : disguised in purpose, also : gentle
2: having or involving keen perception or insight
3a: highly skillful : expert
b: cunningly made or contrived : ingenious
4: artful, crafty
5: operating insidiously
Source : Merriam-Webster
Etymology : Subtle comes ultimately from a Latin pair: the prefix sub-, meaning "under," and tela, meaning "web." The two were joined in Latin subtilis, meaning "finely woven." The word was literal; it was originally a weaving term. But over time subtilis developed figurative uses, and was applied in many cases in which the word fine would work as well: to describe details, distinctions, and tastes, among other things. When subtle came to first be used in Middle English its meaning was very much in this same lineage. It meant "perceptive, refined," and was used to describe people known for their clear thinking—such as philosophers—and things, such as analysis or reasoning, that demonstrated such thinking. The spelling of subtle: like many words that have been in the language for centuries, this one took numerous forms before settling into its current spelling. Many of the forms didn't include the "b" at all—and it's believed that the "b" was probably never pronounced in English. The "b" spellings that were used were a nod to the Latin subtilis. And much to the chagrin of those in favour of phonetic spellings today, one of them came out on top.
If you enjoyed this Good Oil word of the day please consider sharing it with your friends and, especially, your children.
