Dexterity, n.
Etymology: [L. dexteritas, fr. dexter: cf. F. dextérité. See Dexter.]
1. Right-handedness.
2. Readiness and grace in physical activity; skill and ease in using the hands; expertness in manual acts; as, dexterity with the chisel. In youth quick bearing and dexterity. Shak.
3. Readiness in the use or control of the mental powers; quickness and skill in managing any complicated or difficult affair; adroitness. His wisdom . . . was turned . . . into a dexterity to deliver himself. Bacon. He had conducted his own defense with singular boldness and dexterity. Hallam.
Syn. -- Adroitness; activity; nimbleness; expertness; skill; cleverness; art; ability; address; tact; facility; aptness; aptitude; faculty. See Skill.
Shades of meaning
Adroitness (F. a, to, and droit, right) and dexterity (L. dexter, right, right-hand) might each be rendered "right-handedness;" but adroitness carries more of the idea of eluding, parrying, or checking some hostile movement, or taking advantage of another in controversy; dexterity conveys the idea of doing, accomplishing something readily and well, without reference to any action of others. We speak of adroitness in fencing, boxing, or debate; of dexterity in horsemanship, in the use of tools, weapons, etc. Aptitude (L. aptus, fit, fitted) is a natural readiness, which by practise may be developed into dexterity. Skill is more exact to line, rule, and method than dexterity. Dexterity can not be communicated, and, oftentimes can not even be explained by its possessor; skill to a very great extent can be imparted; "skilled workmen" in various trades are numbered by thousands. Compare address; clever; power; skilful.
Prepositions
Dexterity of hand, of movement, of management; with the pen; in action, in manipulating men; at cards.