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Webster 1913 Edition

deft

deft

(dĕft)
,
Adj.
[OE.
daft
,
deft
, becoming, mild, gentle, stupid (cf. OE.
daffe
,
deffe
, fool, coward), AS.
dæft
(in derivatives only) mild, gentle, fitting, seasonable; akin to
dafen
,
gedafen
, becoming, fit, Goth.
gadaban
to be fit. Cf.
Daft
,
Daff
,
Dapper
.]
1.
Apt; fit; spruce; neat.
[Archaic or Poetic]
“The deftest way.”
Shak.
“Deftest feats.”
Gay.
Let me be
deft
and debonair.
Byron.
The limping god, so
deft
at his new ministry.
Dryden.

Webster 1828 Edition

Deft

DEFT

,
Adj.
Neat; handsome; spruce; ready; dextrous; fit; convenient.

Definition 2024

deft

deft

English

Adjective

deft ‎(comparative defter, superlative deftest)

  1. Quick and neat in action; skillful
    He assembled it in one fluid, deft motion.

Translations

See also

Etymology

From Middle English defte, daft ‎(“gentle”), from Old English dæfte, ġedæfte ‎(“mild, gentle, meek”), from Proto-Germanic *daftuz ‎(“accommodating, convenient”), derived from *dabaną ‎(“to be suitable”), from Proto-Indo-European *dʰabʰ- ‎(“fitting, fit together”). Near cognates include Gothic 𐌲𐌰𐌳𐍉𐍆𐍃 ‎(gadōfs, “suitable”). Further cognates include Russian добро ‎(dobro, “wealth, good”) and Latin faber ‎(“craftsman; skillful”).

Pronunciation

  • (UK, US) IPA(key): /dɛft/
  • Rhymes: -ɛft

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