subtilize

subtilize
subtilization, n.subtilizer, n.
/sut"l uyz', sub"teuh luyz'/, v., subtilized, subtilizing.
v.t.
1. to elevate in character; sublimate.
2. to make (the mind, senses, etc.) keen or discerning; sharpen.
3. to introduce subtleties into or argue subtly about.
4. to make thin, rare, or more fluid or volatile; refine.
v.i.
5. to make subtle distinctions or to argue subtly.
Also, esp. Brit., subtilise.
[1585-95; < ML subtilizare, equiv. to subtil(is) SUBTLE + -izare -IZE]

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Universalium. 2010.

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  • Subtilize — Sub til*ize, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Subtilized}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Subtilizing}.] [L. subtiliser.] 1. To make thin or fine; to make less gross or coarse. [1913 Webster] 2. To refine; to spin into niceties; as, to subtilize arguments. [1913 Webster]… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Subtilize — Sub til*ize, v. i. To refine in argument; to make very nice distinctions. Milner. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • subtilize — index clarify, differentiate Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

  • subtilize — [sut′ l īz΄, sub′tilīz΄] vt., vi. subtilized, subtilizing [ML subtilizare < L subtilis,SUBTLE] 1. to make or become subtle 2. to discuss or argue with subtle distinctions subtilization n …   English World dictionary

  • subtilize — verb ( ized; izing) Date: 1592 intransitive verb to act or think subtly transitive verb to make subtile • subtilization noun …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • subtilize — verb a) To make subtle b) To use subtle arguments or distinctions …   Wiktionary

  • subtilize — Synonyms and related words: adulterate, analyze, attenuate, contradistinguish, cut, demarcate, demark, dematerialize, differentiate, dilute, discriminate, disembody, distinguish, divide, draw the line, emacerate, emaciate, enervate, etherealize,… …   Moby Thesaurus

  • subtilize — (Roget s IV) v. Syn. quibble, mislead, cavil; see deceive , evade 1 …   English dictionary for students

  • subtilize — or subtilise sʌtɪlʌɪz verb archaic make more subtle; refine. Derivatives subtilization noun …   English new terms dictionary

  • subtilize — I. v. a. 1. Make thin. 2. Rarefy, etherealize. 3. Refine excessively, make over nice. II. v. n. Refine, be over nice …   New dictionary of synonyms

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