The Collaborative International Dictionary
Dexterous \Dex"ter*ous\, a. [L. dexter. See Dexter.] [Written also dextrous.]
Ready and expert in the use of the body and limbs; skillful and active with the hands; handy; ready; as, a dexterous hand; a dexterous workman.
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Skillful in contrivance; quick at inventing expedients; expert; as, a dexterous manager.
Dexterous the craving, fawning crowd to quit.
--Pope. -
Done with dexterity; skillful; artful; as, dexterous management. ``Dexterous sleights of hand.''
--Trench.Syn: Adroit; active; expert; skillful; clever; able; ready; apt; handy; versed.
Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
Wiktionary
a. 1 skillful with one's hands. 2 Skillful in some specific thing 3 agile; flexible; able to move fluidly and gracefully.
WordNet
Usage examples of "dexterous".
By a dexterous application to his sensual appetites, they compared the tranquillity, the splendor, the refined pleasures of Rome, with the tumult of a Pannonian camp, which afforded neither leisure nor materials for luxury.
The balance of power established by Diocletian subsisted no longer than while it was sustained by the firm and dexterous hand of the founder.
The dexterous fugitive promoted his interest by the same conduct which gratified his revenge.
An undisciplined and unsettled nation of Barbarians required the firmest temper, and the most dexterous management.
But, after Gratian more freely indulged his prevailing taste for hunting and shooting, he naturally connected himself with the most dexterous ministers of his favorite amusement.
But the hopes of Symmachus were repeatedly baffled by the firm and dexterous opposition of the archbishop of Milan, who fortified the emperors against the fallacious eloquence of the advocate of Rome.
In this distress, a bold and dexterous invention assured at once the likeness of the image and the innocence of the worship.
On these occasions, the Cadhi respectfully places on his head the holy volume, and substitutes a dexterous interpretation more apposite to the principles of equity, and the manners and policy of the times.
Abdallah was renowned as the boldest and most dexterous horseman of Arabia.
Lateran palace, and the dexterous pontiff affected to inquire their errand, and to accept with joy and surprise their providential succor.
Trebizond escaped, apparently by the dexterous politics of the sovereign, but it acknowledged the Mogul supremacy.
Hercules, dexterous as Apollo, and equal in battle to any ten of the race of ordinary mortals.
The dexterous black, who carried a long-shanked, narrow axe, quickly sliced from an adjacent gum-tree some pieces of bark, which formed extempore plates and dishes, and some steaks of young beef being duly broiled, aided by one of the dampers, which formed part of our provisions, we made, with the relish of hunger, a satisfactory repast.
Again and again to such gamesome talk, the dexterous dart is repeated, the spear returning to its master like a greyhound held in skilful leash.
He had made himself the hero of the piece by the dexterous manner in which he had led up to the situation, but I had a fair claim to the second place, for I had made an experienced officer high in command give me the most flattering kind of satisfaction, which bore witness to the esteem with which I had inspired him.