▪ I. ˈsubtilizing, vbl. n.
Also 6–7 -tell-.
[-ing1.]
1. = subtilization 1.
| 1662 Merrett tr. Neri's Art of Glass xvi, Crocus Martis is nothing else but a subtilising and Calcination of Iron. 1693 tr. Blancard's Phys. Dict. (ed. 2) 89/2 Sublimatio..is a Subtilizing of things by gradually Dissolving them, and Exalting them into a purer..degree of their own Qualities. |
2. = subtilization 2.
| 1596 Warner Alb. Eng. x. lix. (1602) 262 For Salomon, diuinely wise, could Subtellizings sound. 1676 Marvell Mr. Smirke 20 By which sort of subtilizing the Church hath in former Ages much suffered. 1701 Norris Ideal World i. i. 11 A subtilising upon a fine nothing. a 1754 Maclaurin Serm. & Ess. (1755) 331 These things shew the tendency of incautious subtilizing on the differences between the will and the affections. 1837 Whewell Hist. Induct. Sci. (1857) I. 49 The love of subtilizing and commenting. |
▪ II. ˈsubtilizing, ppl. a.
[-ing2.]
† 1. Rarefying, attenuating. Obs.
| 1611 Cotgr., Subtiliant, extenuating, subtilizing. 1673–4 Grew Anat. Pl. iii. ii. iv. 132 That so the attenuating and subtilizing Aer, may have a more easie..admission at the Trunk. 1725 Bradley's Fam. Dict. s.v. Broom, It's of a provoking and subtilizing nature, and injurious to the Heart and Stomach. Ibid., Goose-Grass, It's somewhat abstersive and desiccative, and its Parts are a little subtilizing. |
2. That draws subtle distinctions; given to or characterized by subtle reasoning or disputation.
| 1839 De Quincey Recoll. Lakes Wks. 1862 II. 146 Raising a cross-fire of artillery from the subtilizing intellect. 1872 W. Minto Engl. Prose Lit. i. i. 71 His subtilising turn of mind. 1881 A. P. Stanley in Macm. Mag. XLIII. 208/1 The liberty sought for was not to be attained by open and legal methods, but by crooked and subtilizing explanations. |