DEFT, DEFTLY, DEFTNESS
ADJECTIVES
1300 — GAIN deft, handy, expert, skilful, dexterous; workmanlike → Eng. dial.
1485 — HABILE deft, skilful, adroit, dexterous
1530 — TALL OF HIS HANDS deft, ready, active, skilful with one’s hands; dexterous, handy → obs.
1825 — NACKETY deft, expert → Sc.
1888 — NATTY deft, handy; industrious; clever, ingenious → Sc. & Eng. dial.
1892 — NETTIE — NETTY — NITTIE deft, agile, quick in movement, smart, neat → Sc.
1894 — GOOD-FINGERED deft, handy → Eng. dial.
ADVERBS
1436 — FEATLY deftly, cleverly, skilfully → arch.
NOUNS
1840 — HABILITY deftness; the quality of being habile; readiness; easy familiarity
Lexicophilia 