DEXTERITY • FREE TRANSLATOR.ORG • Definition of Dexterity

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/dɛkstˈɛrəti/ /dɛkstˈɛrɪti/ Listen

noun

Dexterity n.

Right-handedness.

Readiness and grace in physical activity; skill and ease in using the hands; expertness in manual acts; as, dexterity with the chisel. "In youth quick bearing and dexterity."

Readiness in the use or control of the mental powers; quickness and skill in managing any complicated or difficult affair; adroitness. "His wisdom... was turned... into a dexterity to deliver himself." "He had conducted his own defense with singular boldness and dexterity."

Synonyms: Adroitness; activity; nimbleness; expertness; skill; cleverness; art; ability; address; tact; facility; aptness; aptitude; faculty. See Skill.

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Etymology of 'Dexterity'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Dexterity" Quotes from Famous Books

... crush by a brilliant victory. Ranke thus describes Luther's person at this time. "He was of the middle size, and so thin as to be mere skin and bone. He possessed neither the thundering voice, nor the ready memory, nor the skill and dexterity, of his distinguished antagonist. But he stood in the prime of manhood and in the fulness of his strength. His voice was melodious and clear; he was perfectly versed in the Bible, and its aptest sentences presented themselves ...

— A Modern History, From the Time of Luther to the Fall of Napoleon - For the Use of Schools and Colleges • John Lord

... I could row about the pool with sufficient dexterity to turn the boat in any direction I required, and I then took Nero as a passenger, and he seemed to enjoy the new gratification with a praiseworthy decorum; till, when I was trying to turn the boat ...

— The Little Savage • Captain Marryat

... ride. The story of Kathleen as they had written it was discussed pro and con.; the usual protests were launched at Carter for having in his chapter lowered the theme to the level of burlesque; praise was accorded to the Goblin for the dexterity with which he had rescued the plot. Blair's chapter had been full of American slang which had to be explained to the others. "Joe," the Rhodes Scholar hero, had shown a vein of fine gold under Blair's hands: he bade fair to win the charming Kathleen, although the story had not been ...

— Kathleen • Christopher Morley

... enough in the punishment of offences when he was not himself involved. He piqued himself, moreover, on his dexterity in unravelling mysteries. The affair of Sir Thomas Overbury found him congenial occupation. He set to work by ordering the arrest of Sir Jervis Elwes. James, at this early stage of the proceedings, does not seem to have been aware that Rochester was so deeply implicated. Struck with horror at the ...

— Memoirs of Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds • Charles Mackay

... behind Farfrae's chair, watching his dexterity in clearing up the numerical fogs which had been allowed to grow so thick in Henchard's books as almost to baffle even the Scotchman's perspicacity. The corn-factor's mien was half admiring, and yet it was not without a dash of pity ...

— The Mayor of Casterbridge • Thomas Hardy

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