deft Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective satellite skillful in physical movements; especially of the hands
    dextrous; dexterous.
    • a deft waiter
    • deft fingers massaged her face
    • dexterous of hand and inventive of mind

WordNet

Deft adjective
Etymology
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.
Definitions
  1. Apt; fit; dexterous; clever; handy; spruce; neat. Archaic or Poetic "The deftest way." Shak. "Deftest feats." Gay.
    The limping god, do deft at his new ministry. Dryden.
    Let me be deft and debonair. Byron.

Webster 1913