deft

English

Etymology

From Middle English defte, daft (“gentle”), from Old English gedæfte, from common Proto-Germanic *gadafta-, derived from *dab- (“be suitable”), from Proto-Indo-European *dhabh- (“fitting, fit together”). Near cognates include Gothic 𐌲𐌰𐌳𐍉𐍆𐍃 (gadōfs, “suitable”). Further cognates include Russian добро (dobro, “good”) and Latin faber (“craftsman; skillful”).

Pronunciation

• (UK, US) IPA: /dɛft/, X-SAMPA: /dEft/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

• Rhymes: -ɛft

Adjective

deft (comparative defter, superlative deftest)

1. Quick and neat in action; skillful

   He assembled it in one fluid, deft motion.

Translations

skillful

• Bulgarian: сръчен (bg) (srǎčen), изкусен (bg) (izkusen)
• Cebuano: maabilidad
• Crimean Tatar: çeber
• Dutch: handig (nl)
• French: habile (fr)
• German: geschickt (de)
• Italian: abile (it)
• Latin: dexter (la)

• Polish: zręczny
• Russian: ловкий (lovkij)
• Serbo-Croatian: spretan (sh)
• Sicilian: àbbili (scn)
• Slovak: zručný (sk)
• Spanish: hábil (es), diestro (es)
• Telugu: చాకచక్యము (chaakachakyamu), నేర్పు (naerpu)

See also

• daft