dexterous

One entry found for dexterous.

Main Entry: dex·ter·ous
Variant(s): also dex·trous /'dek-st(&-)r&s/
Function: adjective
Etymology: Latin dextr-, dexter on the right side, skillful
1 : mentally adroit and skillful : CLEVER <her dexterous handling of the crisis>
2 : done with dexterity : ARTFUL <a dexterous maneuver>
3 : skillful and competent with the hands <a dexterous surgeon>
- dex·ter·ous·ly adverb
- dex·ter·ous·ness noun
synonyms DEXTEROUS, ADROIT, DEFT mean ready and skilled in physical movement. DEXTEROUS implies expertness with consequent facility and quickness in manipulation <unrolled the sleeping bag with a dexterous toss>. ADROIT implies dexterity but usually also stresses resourcefulness or artfulness or inventiveness <the magician's adroit response to the failure of her prop won applause>. DEFT emphasizes lightness, neatness, and sureness of touch or handling <a surgeon's deft manipulation of the scalpel>.