subtely

English

Etymology

From subtle +‎ -ly.

Adverb

subtely (comparative more subtely, superlative most subtely)

1. Obsolete spelling of subtly.
   • 1533, Erasmus of Roterdame, “The Thyrde Instruction”, in anonymous translator, 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. […], London: […] Robert Redman, […] [for William Marshall], →OCLC, folio 66, verso:

     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, [...]

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 [...]

     (please add an English translation of this quotation)