deft - Wiktionary, the free dictionary (original) (raw)

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary

From Middle English defte, daft (“gentle”), from Old English dæfte (“mild, gentle, meek”), from Proto-West Germanic *daftī (“fitting, suitable”), derived from *dabaną (“to be suitable”). 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”). Doublet of daft.

deft (comparative defter, superlative deftest)

  1. Quick and neat in action; skillful.
    He assembled it in one fluid, deft motion.
    • 2024 January 7, Gary Rose, “Manchester City 5-0 Huddersfield Town”, in BBC Sport‎[1]:
      Alvarez then got on the scoresheet after the hosts carved open the Huddersfield defence with some intricate passing before the Argentina forward's deft finish rolled into the net.

skillful