deft
English
Etymology
From Middle English defte, daft (“gentle”), from Old English dæfte, ġedæfte (“mild, gentle, meek”), from Proto-Germanic *daftuz (“accommodating, convenient”), derived from *dabaną (“to be suitable”), from Proto-Indo-European *dʰh₂ebʰ- (“fitting, fit together”). Near cognates include Gothic 𐌲𐌰𐌳𐍉𐍆𐍃 (gadōfs, “suitable”), West Frisian deftich (“distinguished”), Dutch deftig (“distinguished”), German deftig (“coarse”). Further cognates include Russian добро (dobro, “wealth, good”) and Latin faber (“craftsman; skillful”).
Pronunciation
- Lua error in Module:parameters at line 290: Parameter 1 should be a valid language or etymology language code; the value "UK" is not valid. See WT:LOL and WT:LOL/E. IPA(key): /dɛft/
- Rhymes: -ɛft
Audio (US): (file)
Adjective
deft (comparative defter, superlative deftest)
Derived terms
Related terms
Translations
skillful
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Categories:
- English terms inherited from Middle English
- English terms derived from Middle English
- English terms inherited from Old English
- English terms derived from Old English
- English terms inherited from Proto-Germanic
- English terms derived from Proto-Germanic
- English terms derived from Proto-Indo-European
- English 1-syllable words
- English terms with IPA pronunciation
- Rhymes:English/ɛft
- English terms with audio links
- English lemmas
- English adjectives
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