dexterity
pronunciation
How to pronounce dexterity in British English:
UK [dekˈsterəti]
How to pronounce dexterity in American English:
US [dɛkˈstɛrɪti]
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- Noun:
- adroitness in using the hands
Word Origin
- dexterity (n.)
- 1520s, from Middle French dexterité (16c.), from Latin dexteritatem (nominative dexteritas) "readiness, skillfulness, prosperity," from dexter "skillful," also "right (hand)" (source of Old French destre, Spanish diestro, etc.), from PIE root *deks- "on the right hand," hence "south" to one facing east (cognates: Sanskrit daksinah "on the right hand, southern, skillful;" Avestan dashina- "on the right hand;" Greek dexios "on the right hand," also "fortunate, clever;" Old Irish dess "on the right hand, southern;" Welsh deheu; Gaulish Dexsiva, name of a goddess of fortune; Gothic taihswa; Lithuanian desinas; Old Church Slavonic desnu, Russian desnoj). The Latin form is with the comparative suffix -ter, thus meaning etymologically "the better direction." Middle English dester meant "right hand," and in heraldry dexter means "on the right side."
Synonym
Example
- 1. Dexterity and recall of facts involving numbers were both impaired .
- 2. Muscle memory , finger dexterity , and general technical prowess won 't just happen .
- 3. Each new level in paragon gives players a boost in core stats ( dexterity , strength , vitality , and intelligence ) in amounts similar to standard levels along with a 3 % boot in magic and gold find .
- 4. You come forth with all sorts of varieties of size and shape and flexibility and dexterity .
- 5. This gives humans a powerful grip and exceptional dexterity to hold and manipulate tools with .