--- title: S — The English dictionary with trees and pragmatics · page 110 description: The 2316 words of the English dictionary under S, every meaning for a pupil and every example with its dependency tree and pragmatics. --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/S/page/110/) [home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [corpora](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/) / [dictionaries](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/) / [English dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/) / S # S — The English dictionary · page 110 [A](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/A/) · [B](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/B/) · [C](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/C/) · [D](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/D/) · [E](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/E/) · [F](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/F/) · [G](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/G/) · [H](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/H/) · [I](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/I/) · [J](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/J/) · [K](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/K/) · [L](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/L/) · [M](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/M/) · [N](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/N/) · [O](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/O/) · [P](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/P/) · [Q](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/Q/) · [R](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/R/) · [S](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/S/) · [T](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/T/) · [U](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/U/) · [V](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/V/) · [W](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/W/) · [X](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/X/) · [Y](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/Y/) · [Z](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/Z/) [1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/S/) … [109](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/S/page/109/) **110** [111](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/S/page/111/) … [127](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/S/page/127/) **subsequently** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* (formal) Afterwards; later; after something that has just been mentioned.[↗](../../subsequently/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* She bought 10 sweets and subsequently ate 3.[↗](../../subsequently/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · He broke his leg and was subsequently taken to hospital.[↗](../../subsequently/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · The castle burned down and was subsequently rebuilt.[↗](../../subsequently/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · The plan was subsequently changed.[↗](../../subsequently/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · The dog ran away and was subsequently found in the park.[↗](../../subsequently/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · Sam saved 20 dollars and subsequently spent half of it.[↗](../../subsequently/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") · The precise meanings of these subdivisions will be subsequently explored in chapters 3, 4, and 5.[↗](../../subsequently/#x7 "tree and pragmatics") (Sefer Yetzirah, Sefaria community translation)[↗](../../subsequently/#x7 "tree and pragmatics") · These three mothers enclose a mighty mystery, most occult and most marvelous, sealed as with six rings, and from them proceed primeval Fire, Water, and Air; these are subsequently differentiated into male and female.[↗](../../subsequently/#x8 "tree and pragmatics") (Sefer Yetzirah, Westcott 1887)[↗](../../subsequently/#x8 "tree and pragmatics") **subside** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* To subside is to become weaker, calmer or less strong: the storm subsided, the pain subsided.[↗](../../subside/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* When water subsides, it goes down to a lower level: the flood waters subsided.[↗](../../subside/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 3:* When land or a building subsides, it sinks lower into the ground.[↗](../../subside/#m3 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* After an hour, the storm began to subside.[↗](../../subside/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · The flood waters subsided and people went home.[↗](../../subside/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · Her fever subsided after she took the medicine.[↗](../../subside/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · Wait until the pain subsides before you walk on your ankle.[↗](../../subside/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · The laughter subsided when the teacher came in.[↗](../../subside/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · The old house had subsided, so the doors no longer shut.[↗](../../subside/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") · The wind subsided, and the boat sailed on.[↗](../../subside/#x7 "tree and pragmatics") · No sooner had he said this to himself than the storm began to subside.[↗](../../subside/#x8 "tree and pragmatics") **subsidence** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* Subsidence is when the ground slowly sinks lower, which can crack buildings, roads and walls.[↗](../../subsidence/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* Subsidence can also mean a thing such as a flood, storm or feeling dying down.[↗](../../subsidence/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* Subsidence caused big cracks in the wall of the old house.[↗](../../subsidence/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · The road was closed because of subsidence.[↗](../../subsidence/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · Old coal mines can cause subsidence above them.[↗](../../subsidence/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · Dry summers can shrink clay soil and lead to subsidence.[↗](../../subsidence/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · The surveyor checked the house for subsidence.[↗](../../subsidence/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · Pumping out too much groundwater can cause subsidence.[↗](../../subsidence/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") · After the subsidence of the floodwater, people went home.[↗](../../subsidence/#x7 "tree and pragmatics") **subsist** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* (formal) To subsist is to stay alive, often with very little food or money: they subsisted on bread and water.[↗](../../subsist/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* (formal) To subsist is also to continue to exist: the old custom still subsists.[↗](../../subsist/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* The castaways subsisted on fish and coconuts.[↗](../../subsist/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · During the long winter the family subsisted on potatoes.[↗](../../subsist/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · Many families once subsisted by farming small fields.[↗](../../subsist/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · He subsisted on very little money.[↗](../../subsist/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · Birds can subsist on seeds in winter.[↗](../../subsist/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · Subsistence farmers grow just enough food to eat.[↗](../../subsist/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") **subsistence** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* Subsistence is having just enough food, water and money to stay alive, with nothing extra.[↗](../../subsistence/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* Subsistence farming is growing just enough food to feed your own family, not to sell.[↗](../../subsistence/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 3:* (formal, money) Subsistence can mean money paid to cover basic living costs like meals when away for work.[↗](../../subsistence/#m3 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* Many families in the past lived on subsistence farming.[↗](../../subsistence/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · Subsistence farmers grow food mainly to eat, not to sell.[↗](../../subsistence/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · Their wages were barely enough for subsistence.[↗](../../subsistence/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · In geography we compared subsistence and commercial farming.[↗](../../subsistence/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · Fishing was the village's means of subsistence.[↗](../../subsistence/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · Dad gets a subsistence allowance when he works away.[↗](../../subsistence/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") · A poor blind Brahman and his wife were dependent on their son for their subsistence.[↗](../../subsistence/#x7 "tree and pragmatics") **subsoil** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* Subsoil is the layer of soil under the top layer (topsoil); it has less humus, is often harder, and lies above the rock.[↗](../../subsoil/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* The subsoil is lighter in colour than the topsoil.[↗](../../subsoil/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · Deep roots grow down into the subsoil.[↗](../../subsoil/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · The builders dug through the subsoil to the rock.[↗](../../subsoil/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · Our garden has a heavy clay subsoil.[↗](../../subsoil/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · Worms are fewer in the subsoil than in the topsoil.[↗](../../subsoil/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · Draw the layers: topsoil, subsoil and bedrock.[↗](../../subsoil/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") **substance** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* A material or kind of matter with particular qualities, like a sticky substance, or a chemical substance such as water, salt or iron.[↗](../../substance/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* The most important part or real meaning of something: the substance of the story.[↗](../../substance/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 3:* Something solid and real, not just talk: there was no substance to the rumour.[↗](../../substance/#m3 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* Water is a substance that can be a solid, a liquid or a gas.[↗](../../substance/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · A strange green substance oozed out of the tube.[↗](../../substance/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · Never taste an unknown substance.[↗](../../substance/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · Cleaning products contain harmful substances.[↗](../../substance/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · Salt and sugar are both white substances, but they taste different.[↗](../../substance/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · Mixing two substances can make a new substance.[↗](../../substance/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") · The teacher said my essay had good substance.[↗](../../substance/#x7 "tree and pragmatics") · There was no substance to the rumour.[↗](../../substance/#x8 "tree and pragmatics") · The spade struck against a hard substance; it was a stone, that shone dazzling white.[↗](../../substance/#x9 "tree and pragmatics") · and also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge; and afterward shall they come out with great substance.[↗](../../substance/#x10 "tree and pragmatics") (Torah GEN.15.14, JPS 1917)[↗](../../substance/#x10 "tree and pragmatics") · Shall not their cattle and their substance and all their beasts be ours? only let us consent unto them, and they will dwell with us.'[↗](../../substance/#x11 "tree and pragmatics") (Torah GEN.34.23, JPS 1917)[↗](../../substance/#x11 "tree and pragmatics") · For their substance was too great for them to dwell together; and the land of their sojournings could not bear them because of their cattle.[↗](../../substance/#x12 "tree and pragmatics") (Torah GEN.36.7, JPS 1917)[↗](../../substance/#x12 "tree and pragmatics") · All these were the rulers of the substance which was king David's.[↗](../../substance/#x13 "tree and pragmatics") (Writings 1CH.27.31, JPS 1917)[↗](../../substance/#x13 "tree and pragmatics") · 'Surely their substance is cut off, and their abundance the fire hath consumed.'[↗](../../substance/#x14 "tree and pragmatics") (Writings JOB.22.20, JPS 1917)[↗](../../substance/#x14 "tree and pragmatics") · We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil; (Writings PRO.1.13, JPS 1917)[↗](../../substance/#x15 "tree and pragmatics") **substantial** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* Large in amount, size or importance.[↗](../../substantial/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* Strong, solid and well made.[↗](../../substantial/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 3:* (of a meal) Big and filling.[↗](../../substantial/#m3 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* (formal) There was a substantial rise in the number of visitors.[↗](../../substantial/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · She won a substantial amount of money in the competition.[↗](../../substantial/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · We had a substantial lunch before the long walk.[↗](../../substantial/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · The house is old but substantial and well built.[↗](../../substantial/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · The new playground made a substantial difference to the school.[↗](../../substantial/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · (formal) The results show a substantial improvement.[↗](../../substantial/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") · The storm caused substantial damage to the roof.[↗](../../substantial/#x7 "tree and pragmatics") · The substantial truth of his statements has been confirmed by later criticism and inquiry.[↗](../../substantial/#x8 "tree and pragmatics") · He frustrateth the devices of the crafty, so that their hands can perform nothing substantial.[↗](../../substantial/#x9 "tree and pragmatics") (Writings JOB.5.12, JPS 1917)[↗](../../substantial/#x9 "tree and pragmatics") **substantially** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* (formal) Substantially means by a large amount, a lot: prices rose substantially.[↗](../../substantially/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* (formal) Substantially can mean mainly or in most ways: the two stories are substantially the same.[↗](../../substantially/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* The new bridge is substantially longer than the old one.[↗](../../substantially/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · Our class raised substantially more money this year.[↗](../../substantially/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · Prices have risen substantially.[↗](../../substantially/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · The plan was substantially changed after the meeting.[↗](../../substantially/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · Her reading has improved substantially.[↗](../../substantially/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · The two pictures are substantially the same, with only small differences.[↗](../../substantially/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") · In it the letters have substantially their English sound.[↗](../../substantially/#x7 "tree and pragmatics") **substantiating** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* Substantiating means proving that something is true by giving facts or evidence (formal).[↗](../../substantiating/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* As an adjective, substantiating describes evidence or facts that support a claim (formal).[↗](../../substantiating/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* The scientist is substantiating her idea with careful tests.[↗](../../substantiating/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · The police need substantiating evidence before they arrest anyone.[↗](../../substantiating/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · He had trouble substantiating his story.[↗](../../substantiating/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · Substantiating a rumour means checking the facts.[↗](../../substantiating/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · Your essay should include substantiating examples.[↗](../../substantiating/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · The detective spent a week substantiating the witness's claims.[↗](../../substantiating/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") **substation** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* A substation is a place, often fenced in, with large electrical equipment that changes electricity so it can be sent to homes, schools and shops.[↗](../../substation/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* A substation can also be a small branch office, like a police substation.[↗](../../substation/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* A substation turns very high voltage into safer voltage for homes.[↗](../../substation/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · Never go inside a substation fence.[↗](../../substation/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · Our ball went over the fence into the substation, so we called an adult.[↗](../../substation/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · The lights went out when the substation was hit by lightning.[↗](../../substation/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · There is a small substation at the end of our street.[↗](../../substation/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · The sign on the substation says «Danger: keep out».[↗](../../substation/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") **substitute** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* A substitute is a person or thing used instead of another.[↗](../../substitute/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* In sport a substitute (a «sub») is a player who comes on to replace another player.[↗](../../substitute/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 3:* To substitute is to put one thing in the place of another.[↗](../../substitute/#m3 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 4:* A substitute teacher is a teacher who takes a class when the usual teacher is away (USA: substitute teacher; UK: supply teacher; Australia: relief teacher).[↗](../../substitute/#m4 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* We had a substitute teacher today.[↗](../../substitute/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · He came on as a substitute in the second half.[↗](../../substitute/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · You can substitute honey for sugar in this recipe.[↗](../../substitute/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · Substitute 4 for x: 2 × 4 = 8.[↗](../../substitute/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · There is no substitute for practice.[↗](../../substitute/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · The sub scored the winning goal.[↗](../../substitute/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") · She substituted a pencil for the broken pen.[↗](../../substitute/#x7 "tree and pragmatics") · He therefore insisted on Heracles substituting two more labours in their place.[↗](../../substitute/#x8 "tree and pragmatics") **substitution** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* A substitution is putting one person or thing in the place of another.[↗](../../substitution/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* (sport) A substitution is when a player is taken off and another player comes on.[↗](../../substitution/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 3:* (maths) Substitution means replacing a letter in an expression or formula with a number, to work out its value.[↗](../../substitution/#m3 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 4:* (cooking) A substitution is using a different ingredient instead of the one in the recipe.[↗](../../substitution/#m4 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* The coach made a substitution at half-time.[↗](../../substitution/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · By substitution, if x = 4, then 3x = 12.[↗](../../substitution/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · Use substitution to check your answer to the equation.[↗](../../substitution/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · We used honey as a substitution for sugar.[↗](../../substitution/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · In a substitution cipher, A might become D and B might become E.[↗](../../substitution/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · Two substitutions changed the whole match.[↗](../../substitution/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") · Substitution of the ingredients made the cake taste different.[↗](../../substitution/#x7 "tree and pragmatics") · The Kabalistic principles involved in the reversal of Hebrew letters, and their substitution by others, on definite schemes, should also be studied and borne in mind.[↗](../../substitution/#x8 "tree and pragmatics") (Sefer Yetzirah, Westcott 1893)[↗](../../substitution/#x8 "tree and pragmatics") **substrate** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* (science) A substrate is the surface or material that something grows on or lives on, such as soil, sand, rock or a fish tank's gravel.[↗](../../substrate/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* (science) In chemistry and biology, a substrate is the substance that an enzyme acts on and changes.[↗](../../substrate/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 3:* (technology) A substrate is a base layer that something else is built on, like the material under a computer chip.[↗](../../substrate/#m3 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* The stream's substrate was gravel and pebbles.[↗](../../substrate/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · Mussels attach themselves to a rocky substrate.[↗](../../substrate/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · We put sand as the substrate in the fish tank.[↗](../../substrate/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · Mushrooms grow on a substrate of wood or straw.[↗](../../substrate/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · Each enzyme works on its own substrate.[↗](../../substrate/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · The gecko's tank needs a safe substrate.[↗](../../substrate/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") **subsurface** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* Subsurface means lying or happening just below a surface, such as under the ground, the sea or the skin.[↗](../../subsurface/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* The subsurface is the layer under the surface.[↗](../../subsurface/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* Scientists think Europa has a subsurface ocean under its ice.[↗](../../subsurface/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · Subsurface water feeds the well.[↗](../../subsurface/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · The robot scanned the subsurface for old pipes.[↗](../../subsurface/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · Subsurface rock can be studied with drills.[↗](../../subsurface/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · The bruise was a subsurface injury under the skin.[↗](../../subsurface/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · Geologists mapped the subsurface before the tunnel was dug.[↗](../../subsurface/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") **subterranean** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* Subterranean means underground, below the surface of the earth.[↗](../../subterranean/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* (formal) It can also mean hidden or secret.[↗](../../subterranean/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* Moles live in subterranean tunnels.[↗](../../subterranean/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · The cave had a subterranean river.[↗](../../subterranean/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · Explorers found a subterranean city in Turkey.[↗](../../subterranean/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · Some ants build huge subterranean nests.[↗](../../subterranean/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · The London Underground is a subterranean railway.[↗](../../subterranean/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · Blind fish swim in subterranean lakes.[↗](../../subterranean/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") · The story was set in a subterranean kingdom.[↗](../../subterranean/#x7 "tree and pragmatics") · When Thumbling saw that they were gone, he crept back out of the subterranean passage.[↗](../../subterranean/#x8 "tree and pragmatics") **subtitle** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* Subtitles are words shown at the bottom of a film or TV screen to translate what people say or to write it down for people who cannot hear it.[↗](../../subtitle/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* A subtitle is a second, smaller title of a book or article that gives more detail.[↗](../../subtitle/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 3:* To subtitle a film is to add subtitles to it.[↗](../../subtitle/#m3 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* We watched a Japanese cartoon with English subtitles.[↗](../../subtitle/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · Turn on the subtitles so Grandad can follow the film.[↗](../../subtitle/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · Reading subtitles helps me learn French.[↗](../../subtitle/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · The book's title is «Space» and its subtitle is «A Journey to the Stars».[↗](../../subtitle/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · The film was subtitled in twelve languages.[↗](../../subtitle/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · The subtitles were too fast for my little sister.[↗](../../subtitle/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") · Write a title and a subtitle for your science report.[↗](../../subtitle/#x7 "tree and pragmatics") **subtle** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* Subtle means very small, delicate or hard to notice.[↗](../../subtle/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* Subtle means clever in a quiet, sly way, good at thinking of tricks.[↗](../../subtle/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Early Modern English, meaning 1:* Clever in a sly, tricky way, able to fool others without them noticing.[↗](../../subtle/#m3 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* The hare was subtle and clever.[↗](../../subtle/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · There was a subtle smell of smoke.[↗](../../subtle/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · Her smile was so subtle that I almost missed it.[↗](../../subtle/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made.[↗](../../subtle/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") (Torah GEN.3.1, JPS 1917)[↗](../../subtle/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · With the pure Thou dost show myself pure; and with the crooked Thou dost show Thyself subtle.[↗](../../subtle/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") (Prophets 2SA.22.27, JPS 1917)[↗](../../subtle/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · With the pure Thou dost show Thyself pure; and with the crooked Thou dost show Thyself subtle.[↗](../../subtle/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") (Writings PSA.18.27, JPS 1917)[↗](../../subtle/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") · But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David's brother; and Jonadab was a very subtle man.[↗](../../subtle/#x7 "tree and pragmatics") (Prophets 2SA.13.3, JPS 1917)[↗](../../subtle/#x7 "tree and pragmatics") · Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made.[↗](../../subtle/#x8 "tree and pragmatics") (Torah GEN.3.1, JPS 1917) · The subtle characterisation of the various occupations reaches a high level of artistic merit.[↗](../../subtle/#x9 "tree and pragmatics") (More English Fairy Tales) · Was it not rather that he should not henceforth see Burd Janet?--a subtle touch of jealousy.[↗](../../subtle/#x10 "tree and pragmatics") (More English Fairy Tales) [1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/S/) … [109](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/S/page/109/) **110** [111](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/S/page/111/) … [127](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/S/page/127/) - ← previous: [page 109](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/S/page/109/) - next →: [page 111](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/S/page/111/) - 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