dexterous

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English

Alternative forms

Etymology

From Latin dexter (“right, ready”) +‎ -ous. Displaced native Old English handcræftiġ.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈdɛkstɹəs/
  • Audio (Southern England)(file)
  • Audio (US)(file)
  • Rhymes: -ɛkstɹəs

Adjective

dexterous (comparative more dexterous, superlative most dexterous)

  1. Skillful with one's hands.
    • 1960, John Updike, 'Rabbit, Run', page 57:
      She is pleasingly dexterous with the chopsticks, and keeps one hand lying palm up on her lap. Pinched with just the right pressure between the sticks; funny how plump women have that delicate touch.
  2. Skillful in some specific thing.
  3. Agile; flexible; able to move fluidly and gracefully.
  4. (figurative, archaic) Skilled at argumentation; mentally skillful.
    • 1775, speech by Edmund Burke
      the study renders men acute, inquisitive, dexterous, prompt in attack, ready in defense

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