Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition

(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.

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.

Adj.

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