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dexterous

   Also found in: Legal, Wikipedia 0.01 sec.
dex·ter·ous  (dkstr-s, -strs) also dex·trous (-strs)
adj.
1. Skillful in the use of the hands.
2. Having mental skill or adroitness.
3. Done with dexterity.

[From Latin dexter, skillful; see dexter.]

dexter·ous·ly adv.
dexter·ous·ness n.
Synonyms: dexterous, deft, adroit, handy, nimble
These adjectives refer to skill and ease in performance. Dexterous implies physical or mental agility: dexterous fingers.
Deft suggests quickness, sureness, neatness, and lightness of touch: deft strokes; a deft turn of phrase.
Adroit implies ease and natural skill, especially in challenging situations: an adroit skier; an adroit negotiator.
Handy suggests a more modest aptitude, principally in manual work: handy with tools.
Nimble stresses quickness and lightness in physical or mental performance: nimble feet; nimble wits.

dexterous, dextrous [ˈdɛkstrəs]
adj
1. possessing or done with dexterity
2. a rare word for right-handed
dexterously , dextrously adv
dexterousness , dextrousness n
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Adj.1.dexterous - skillful in physical movements; especially of the hands; "a deft waiter"; "deft fingers massaged her face"; "dexterous of hand and inventive of mind"
adroit - quick or skillful or adept in action or thought; "an exceptionally adroit pianist"; "an adroit technician"; "his adroit replies to hecklers won him many followers"; "an adroit negotiator"

dexterous dextrous
adjective
1. skilful, able, expert, quick, masterly, active, neat, handy, apt, ingenious, adept, deft, nimble, proficient, agile, adroit, nimble-fingered As people grow older they generally become less dexterous.
2. able, skilled, expert, masterly, clever, practised, accomplished, versed, skilful, adept, masterful, proficient, adroit, tasty (Brit. informal) the composer's dextrous manipulation of pauses and silence
Translations
dexterous ADJ dextrous [ˈdekstrəs] ADJdiestro, hábil
by the dexterous use ofpor el diestro uso de
dexterous dextrous [ˈdɛkstrəs] adjadroit(e)
dexterous, dextrous
adjgeschickt
dexterous dextrous [ˈdɛkstrəs] adj (skilful) → destro/a, abile; (movement) → agile
dexterous dextrous [ˈdɛkstrəs] adj (skilful) → destro/a, abile; (movement) → agile


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? Mentioned in ? References in classic literature
 
Clever are they--they have dexterous fingers: what doth MY simplicity pretend to beside their multiplicity
With light and graceful steps he danced through the long saloon, with the sovereign who thought never to have found a more dexterous and excellent dancer.
He was dexterous to make him comfortable, and he exercised a cunning of which I should never have thought him capable to induce him to take the medicines prescribed by the doctor.
 
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