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dexterity

UK/dɛksˈtɛɹɪti/US/dɛksˈtɛɹɪti/
nounB2+Occasional — familiar, but not everyday · #11,142 of 15,258neutral

Dexterity is skill in using the hands, or quickness of mind. Manual dexterity, verbal dexterity, lose some dexterity.

Manual dexterity is the phrase in job descriptions for surgeons, dentists and watchmakers. The Latin behind it means on the right, from the old assumption that the right hand is the skilled one, which is also why sinister means left.

Definitions of dexterity

  1. 1noundexteritySkill in using the hands, or quickness of mind.B2+

    “Playing the harp requires great dexterity in both hands.”

dexterity is a skill.

Where it comes from

Latin dexteritas comes from dexter, on the right, from the assumption that the right hand is the skilled one.

  1. Proto-Indo-European

    *deḱs-

  2. Latin

    dexteritas

  3. Middle French

    dextérité

  4. English, today

    dexterity

Built from

  • dexter · Latin — on the right

Borrowed from Middle French dextérité, from Latin dexteritas, from dexter (“on the right”), this is in reference to most people having greater fine motor skills in their right hand. Partially displaced native handcræft, whence Modern English handcraft.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA

Practise this word

dexterity in the wild

  • The effects are limited only by the types of cards used, the imagination, and the degree of manual dexterity of the performer.

    Cardistry

  • As a skill toy, poi is an object or theatrical prop used for dexterity play or an object manipulation.

    Poi (performance art)

  • Object manipulation is a form of dexterity play or performance in which one or more people physically interact with one or more objects.

    Object manipulation

  • A skill toy is an object or theatrical prop used for dexterity play or an object manipulation performance.

    List of skill toys

  • Fine motor skill or dexterity is the coordination of small muscles in movement with the eyes, hands and fingers.

    Fine motor skill

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From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. These sentences were written by other people about their own subjects; they are here to show the word at work, not as anybody’s opinion.