subtilize: Dictionary.com Word of the Day

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Word of the Day for Monday, July 12, 2010 subtilize \SUHT-l-ahyz\, verb: 1. To make (the mind, senses, etc.) keen or discerning. 2. To elevate in character. 3. To make thin, rare, or more fluid or volatile; refine. By long brooding over our recollections, we subtilize them into something akin to imaginary stuff, and hardly capable of being distinguished from it. -- Nathanial Hawthorne, The Blithedale Romance Another (ah Lord helpe) mee vilifies /With Art of Love, and how to subtilize, /Making lewd Venus, with eternall Lines, /To tye Adonis to her love's designes. -- John Davies of Hereford, Papers Complaint, compil'd in ruthfull Rimes Against the Paper-spoylers of these Times Subtilize grew in popularity among practitioners of alchemy and early medical theory. Read the full entry | See synonyms | Comment on today's word | Suggest tomorrow's word Yesterday's word | Previous words | Help
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