The Collaborative International Dictionary
Subtilize \Sub"til*ize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Subtilized; p. pr. & vb. n. Subtilizing.] [L. subtiliser.]
To make thin or fine; to make less gross or coarse.
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To refine; to spin into niceties; as, to subtilize arguments.
Nor as yet have we subtilized ourselves into savages.
--Burke.
Subtilize \Sub"til*ize\, v. i.
To refine in argument; to make very nice distinctions.
--Milner.
Wiktionary
vb. 1 (context transitive English) To make subtle; to make thin or fine; to make less gross or coarse. 2 (context transitive English) To refine; to spin into niceties. 3 (context intransitive English) To use subtle arguments or distinctions.
WordNet
Usage examples of "subtilize".
All large families have two or three words peculiar to themselves -- words which they have made up and which convey subtilized, non-dictionary meanings.