Dexterity
[dek'sterɪtɪ] or [dɛk'stɛrəti]
Definition
(n.) Right-handedness.
(n.) Readiness and grace in physical activity; skill and ease in using the hands; expertness in manual acts; as, dexterity with the chisel.
(n.) Readiness in the use or control of the mental powers; quickness and skill in managing any complicated or difficult affair; adroitness.
Typed by Denis
Synonyms and Synonymous
n. Skill, skilfulness, adroitness, expertness, readiness, facility, aptness, aptitude, address, quickness, cleverness, knack, ability, tact, art.
Typist: Wesley
Synonyms and Antonyms
[See ABILITY]
Checked by Horatio
Examples
- A somewhat difficult feat, achieved with great dexterity, and with a prodigious splash. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- She then took the post of toaster-general; and kneeling on the rug, fork in hand, fulfilled her office with dexterity. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- Mr. Micawber, with a perfect miracle of dexterity or luck, caught his advancing knuckles with the ruler, and disabled his right hand. Charles Dickens. David Copperfield.
- But, he was on his feet directly, and after sponging himself with a great show of dexterity began squaring again. Charles Dickens. Great Expectations.
- In his fourth combat with De Grantmesnil, the Disinherited Knight showed as much courtesy as he had hitherto evinced courage and dexterity. Walter Scott. Ivanhoe.
- In a tribe of hunters or shepherds, a particular person makes bows and arrows, for example, with more readiness and dexterity than any other. Adam Smith. An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.
- Where the dexterity of the lawyers, eager to discover a flaw? Charles Dickens. The Pickwick Papers.
- Young John locked his door for him as they went out, slided the key into his pocket with great dexterity, and led the way to his own residence. Charles Dickens. Little Dorrit.
- He had shown little or no military ability, but considerable dexterity and administrative power. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- Then he changed his tactics, and fighting warily and with extreme dexterity, he tried to do by science what he was unable to do by brute strength. Edgar Rice Burroughs. A Princess of Mars.
- The process of bottling requires great manual dexterity. Frederick C. Bakewell. Great Facts.
- Friend Wamba, said he, of all those who are fools enough to serve Cedric, thou alone hast dexterity enough to make thy folly acceptable to him. Walter Scott. Ivanhoe.
- But do you not admire, I said, the coolness and dexterity of these ready ministers of political corruption? Plato. The Republic.
- The King noticed this, and smiled broadly at the Englishman's want of dexterity. Fergus Hume. The Island of Fantasy.
- Mr. Bucket lost no time in transferring this paper, with the dexterity of a conjuror, from Mr. Smallweed to Mr. Jarndyce. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
Edited by Francine