Defn: Dexterous. [Obs.]
DEXTERITY
Dex*ter"i*ty, n. Etym: [L. dexteritas, fr. dexter: cf. F. dextérité.
See Dexter.]
1. Right-handedness.
2. 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. Shak.
3. 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. Bacon. He had conducted his own defense with singular boldness and dexterity. Hallam.
Syn.
— Adroitness; activity; nimbleness; expertness; skill; cleverness;
art; ability; address; tact; facility; aptness; aptitude; faculty.
See Skill.
DEXTEROUS Dex"ter*ous, a. Etym: [L. dexter. See Dexter.] [Written also dextrous.]
1. Ready and expert in the use of the body and limbs; skillful and active with the hands; handy; ready; as, a dexterous hand; a dexterous workman.
2. Skillful in contrivance; quick at inventing expedients; expert; as, a dexterous manager. Dexterous the craving, fawning crowd to quit. Pope.
3. Done with dexterity; skillful; artful; as, dexterous management. "Dexterous sleights of hand." Trench.