different between dexterous vs masterly

English

Alternative forms

• dextrous (British)

Etymology

From Latin dexter (“right, ready”) + -ous.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?d?kst??s/
• Rhymes: -?kst??s

Adjective

dexterous (comparative more dexterous, superlative most dexterous)

1. Skillful with one's hands.
2. Skillful in some specific thing.
   • 1719, Daniel Defoe, Robinson Crusoe

     We went frequently out with this boat a-fishing; and as I was most dexterous to catch fish for him, he never went without me.

3. Agile; flexible; able to move fluidly and gracefully.
4. (figuratively, archaic) Skilled at argumentation; mentally skillful.
   • 1775, speech by Edmund Burke

     […] the study [of law] renders men acute, inquisitive, dexterous, prompt in attack, ready in defense […]

Related terms

• ambidextrous
• dexter
• dexterity

Translations

See also

• adroit
• active
• expert
• skillful
• clever
• able
• ready
• apt
• handy
• versed

Further reading

• dexterous in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• dexterous in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.
• dexterous at OneLook Dictionary Search

Anagrams

• Exoduster

English

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /?m??st?li/, /?mæ-/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /?mæst?li/
• Hyphenation: mas?ter?ly

Etymology 1

From Middle English maisterli, from maister (“leader, ruler; high official; official in charge of a place; person in control; employer; owner; schoolmaster, teacher; scholar, sage; holder of a master's degree; religious teacher; master craftsman; expert; magician; social superior; husband; lover; Jesus Christ; a god; male stud animal”) + -li (suffix forming adjectives). Maister is derived from Old English mæ?ester (“master”) and Old French maistre (“master”) (modern French maître), both from Latin magister (“teacher; master”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *mé?h?s (“big, great”). The English word is analysable as master +? -ly.

Adjective

masterly (comparative more masterly, superlative most masterly)

1. Executed in the manner of a master; showing competence and skill; masterful.

   Synonyms: maestrolike, masterlike, (obsolete) masterous; see also Thesaurus:skilled
2. (usually derogatory, obsolete) Like a master; arbitrary; domineering, imperious.

   Synonyms: despotic, overbearing

Alternative forms

• masterlie (obsolete)

Derived terms

• masterliness
• masterly inactivity

Translations

Etymology 2

From Middle English maisterli (“artistically; skilfully; in the manner of a conqueror or master; overconfidently”), from maister (see etymology 1) + -li (suffix forming adverbs); analysable as master +? -ly (suffix forming adverbs).

Adverb

masterly (comparative more masterly, superlative most masterly)

1. (archaic) In a masterful manner; competently, masterfully.

   Synonyms: expertly, skilfully

Translations

References