deft
[deft]
- dexterous; nimble; skillful; clever: deft hands; a deft mechanic.
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Origin of deft
Synonym study
See dexterous.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for deftness
Contemporary Examples
Her writing on books and the arts has been impressive in its breadth, depth, and deftness.
Suleiman's deftness and ability to win the trust of all parties have earned him high marks in Israel.
The deftness of Smith's drafts(wo)manship can often be overlooked in her E.T.-proportioned figures.
Historical Examples
Linda slid down the side of the canyon with the deftness of the expert.
Her Father's DaughterGene Stratton-Porter
The deftness with which he completed the task of laying bare the wound was notable.
The Slave Of The LampHenry Seton Merriman
To-night Jim went into his kitchen and cooked his supper with all a woman's deftness.
Country NeighborsAlice Brown
And Tamada at his work had all the deftness and some of the dignity of a surgeon.
A Man to His MateJ. Allan Dunn
It would have just about as much delicacy and deftness and discriminations.
A Collection of Stories, Reviews and EssaysWilla Cather
deft
- quick and neat in movement; nimble; dexterous
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Word Origin
C13 (in the sense: gentle): see daft
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for deftness
deft
adj.
Old English gedæfte "mild, gentle," differentiated in Middle English into daft (q.v.) and this word, via sense of "apt, skillful, adept." Cognate with Gothic gadaban "to be fit," Old Norse dafna "to grow strong," Dutch deftig "important, relevant."
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper