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nimbleness

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary

English

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Etymology

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From Middle English nymmylnes; equivalent to nimble +‎ -ness.

Pronunciation

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  • (US) IPA(key): /ˈnɪm.bəl.nɪs/
  • Audio (US):(file)

Noun

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nimbleness (countable and uncountable, plural nimblenesses)

  1. The quality of being nimble.
    • 1535 October 14 (Gregorian calendar), Myles Coverdale, transl., Biblia: The Byble, […] (Coverdale Bible), [Cologne or Marburg]: [Eucharius Cervicornus and Johannes Soter?], →OCLC, Esay [Isaiah] xxx:[12–13], folio xi, recto, column 1:
      Therfoꝛe thus ſaieth the holy one of Iſrael: In as moch as ye haue caſt of youre bewtie, and confoꝛted youre ſelues with power and nymbleneſſe, and put youre confidence therin: therfoꝛe ſhal ye haue this myſchefe agayne foꝛ youre deſtruction and fall, like as an hie wall, that falleth becauſe of ſome rift (oꝛ blaſt,) whoſe bꝛeakinge cometh ſodenly.
    • 1599 (first performance), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Iulius Cæsar”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene iii], page 126, column 1:
      'Tis better that the Enemie ſeeke vs,
      So ſhall he waſte his meanes, weary his Souldiers,
      Doing himſelfe offence, whil'ſt we lying ſtill,
      Are full of reſt, defence, and nimbleneſſe.
    • 1828, Thomas Keightley, The Fairy Mythology, volume I, London: William Harrison Ainsworth, page 290:
      The three little men came slily up to him, and thought by their nimbleness to get back the cap, but he held his prize fast, and they saw clearly that nothing was to be done in this way with him, for in size and strength John was a giant in comparison of these little fellows, who hardly came up to his knee.

Antonyms

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  • (antonym(s) of “property of being nimble”): sluggishness

Translations

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