Synonyms for deftness


Grammar : Noun
Spell : deft
Phonetic Transcription : dɛft


Définition of deftness

Origin :
  • 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."
  • noun dexterity
Example sentences :
  • Linda slid down the side of the canyon with the deftness of the expert.
  • Extract from : « Her Father's Daughter » by Gene Stratton-Porter
  • The deftness with which he completed the task of laying bare the wound was notable.
  • Extract from : « The Slave Of The Lamp » by Henry Seton Merriman
  • To-night Jim went into his kitchen and cooked his supper with all a woman's deftness.
  • Extract from : « Country Neighbors » by Alice Brown
  • And Tamada at his work had all the deftness and some of the dignity of a surgeon.
  • Extract from : « A Man to His Mate » by J. Allan Dunn
  • It would have just about as much delicacy and deftness and discriminations.
  • Extract from : « A Collection of Stories, Reviews and Essays » by Willa Cather
  • Gavan could but admire his own deftness in tossing a newspaper over the pistol.
  • Extract from : « The Shadow of Life » by Anne Douglas Sedgwick
  • Their deftness of hand, as I have many a time experienced to my cost, is remarkable.
  • Extract from : « Wanderings in Patagonia » by Julius Beerbohm
  • But in another and higher field, deftness was never more in request than to-day.
  • Extract from : « Inventors at Work » by George Iles
  • With what deftness and diplomacy had he worked upon her father!
  • Extract from : « The Weavers, Complete » by Gilbert Parker
  • David marvelled at her serenity under the strain, and at her courage and deftness.
  • Extract from : « The Mountain Girl » by Payne Erskine

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Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019