DEFT

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does deft mean? 

• DEFT (adjective)
  The adjective DEFT has 1 sense:

1. skillful in physical movements; especially of the hands

  Familiarity information: DEFT used as an adjective is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• DEFT (adjective)

Comparative: defter   
Superlative: deftest   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Skillful in physical movements; especially of the hands

Synonyms:

deft; dexterous; dextrous

Context example:

dexterous of hand and inventive of mind

Similar:

adroit (quick or skillful or adept in action or thought)

Derivation:

deftness (skillful performance or ability without difficulty)

 Context examples 

There might be opportunity for a deft and ripping thrust of paw into the tender, unguarded belly.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

By our lady! they have shown the French at Courtrai and elsewhere that they are as deft in wielding steel as in welding it.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

In quick rage he sprang at the man, who met him halfway, grappled him close by the throat, and with a deft twist threw him over on his back.

(The Call of the Wild, by Jack London)

He was a good workman himself, quick and deft, and it had always been a point of pride with him that no man should do any of his work for him or outwork him.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

For my part, I slipped into the smithy, where Boy Jim was finishing the shoe, and I watched the neatness of his work and the deft way in which he turned up the caulkens.

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

By the rood of Waltham! but thy touch is deft and dainty.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

At the time he was lost in admiration at the deft way in which the jongleur disguised the loss of his two missing strings, and the lusty, hearty fashion in which he trolled out his little ballad of the outland bowmen.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Far down the course of time I can see her still leading the nations, a wayward queen among the peoples, great in war, but greater in peace, quick in thought, deft in action, with her people's will for her sole monarch, from the sands of Calais to the blue seas of the south.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Making a short deft movement Tom Buchanan broke her nose with his open hand.

(The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald)

At this point Miss Baker said "Absolutely!" with such suddenness that I started—it was the first word she uttered since I came into the room. Evidently it surprised her as much as it did me, for she yawned and with a series of rapid, deft movements stood up into the room.

(The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald)