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/, 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

Bosnian: spretan (bs) Bulgarian: сръчен (bg), изкусен (bg) 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) Sicilian: àbbili (scn) Spanish: hábil (es), diestro (es) Telugu: చాకచక్యము (chaakachakyamu), నేర్పు (naerpu)

See also

• daft