veikls

Derived from the verb veikt (“to carry out, to accomplish”) (q.v.). This word varied its semantics rather strongly throughout time and space (meaning at times “circumspect, calm,” “modest, virtuous,” “successful,” etc.) Cognates include Lithuanian veiklùs (“active, diligent”), veikùs (“quick, agile; capable”).^[1]

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veikls (definite veiklais, comparative veiklāks, superlative visveiklākais, adverb veikli)

1. (of people, animals, their bodies) agile, dexterous, deft, neat, skillful, precise (that which moves quickly, smoothly, precisely; which works quickly, smoothly, efficiently)

   veikls peldētājs, skrējējs ― agile swimmer, runner

   veikla strādniece ― skillful (female) worker

   veikla dejotāja ― agile, deft (female) dancer

   veiklas rokas ― agile, deft hands

   veikls stāstītājs, rakstītājs ― skillful, deft storyteller, writer

   vāvere ir ļoti veikla ― the squirrel is very agile

   Ilma ir vēl stalta sieva, lokana kā vica un veikla kā zebiekste ― Irma is still a stately woman, flexible like a twig and agile like a weasel

   lai gan Tibils bija jau vecs, bet kalnā kapšanā viņš bija veiklāks par dēlu ― though ibils was already old, at mountain climbing he was more agile, more skillful than (his) son

   uz sauszemes krokodils nevarēja sagrābt ne zālēdājus, ne putnus, jo nebija pietiekami veikls ― on dry land, crocodiles cannot catch herbivores or birds, because they were not sufficiently agile

2. (of actions) agile, dexterous, deft, neat, precise (carried out with speed, agility, neatness, precision)

   veikls lēciens ― agile leap

   veiklas pirkstu kustības ― agile finger movements

3. (of people) able, resourceful, quick-witted, skillful (capable of using a situation to one's advantage; expressing such capacity)

   veikls runātājs ― able, deft, skillful speaker

   veikls blēdis ― able, skillful cheat, swindler

   veikla runa ― quick(-witted) (= also, compelling) talk

   veikls manevrs ― able, skillful maneuver

   Viesturs liegi uzklāja Everīnas pleciem savu žaketi; jā, viņš bija veikls zēns un īsts džentlmenis ― Viesturs gently covered Everīna's shoulders with his jacket; yes, he was an able, resourceful boy and a true gentleman

• knašs
• nasks
• ņiprs
• vingrs
• žigls

• veiklība
• veiklums

• veikt