subtely

subtely

English

Etymology

subtle +‎ -ly

Adverb

subtely (comparative more subtely, superlative most subtely)

1. (obsolete) Alternative spelling of subtly
   • 1533, A playne and godly Exposytion or Declaration of the Commune Crede (Which in the Latin tonge is called Symbolum Apostolorum) And of the .x. Commaundementes of goddes law. Newly made and put forth by the famouse clarke Mayster Erasmus of Roterdame. At the requeste of the moste honorable lorde, Thomas Erle of Wyltshyre : father to the moste gratious and wertuous Quene Anne wyf to our most gracyous soueraygne lorde kynge Henry the .viii.

     Nexte cometh Arrius by soo muche the more wretched and madde in opynyon, by howe muche he dothe more subtely and craftily geue unto Christ the body of a man, and taketh from hym the sowle of a man, [...]

   • 1560, The newe Testament of our Lord Iesus Christ, Geneva (section: "The Actes of the holie Apostles written by Luke the Euangeliste", "chap. vii"):

     19 The same dealt subtely with our kinred, and euil intreated our fathers, & made them to cast out their yong children, that they shulde not remaine aliue.

   • 1793, Pleas of the Crown in Matters Criminal and Civil: Containing a Large Collection of Modern Precedents [...] The Whole collected By the Late Sir John Tremaine [..] Digisted and Revised By the Late Mr. John Rice [..] And Translated into English, by Thomas Vickers [..], Dublin (section: "The King against Nevill. Hilary, the 30th & 31st Charles II. 2. By Libels."):

     [...] was indicted for drivers high treasons, in falsely, maliciously, subtely and traiterously purposing, [...]

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Middle English

Adverb

subtely

1. Alternative form of subtilly
   • 14th century, Geoffrey Chaucer, Frederick J. Furnivall (editor), The Lansdowne MS (No. 851) of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, page 530 (section: "The second nun's tale. Lansdowne MS. [The Poem.]"):

     [...] Þis ilke storie subtely to endyte [...]