adroit

[Fr. adroit handsome, apt, or fit for anything, prosperous: a = to, and droit = right, as opposed to left. The word dexterous is from Latin dexter = right, as opposed to left; it is, therefore, etymologically of the same meaning as adroit.] [DIRECT, RIGHT, DEXTEROUS.] A. Of persons: 1. Dexterous in the use of the hands; handy. "An adroit stout fellow would sometimes destroy a whole family, with justice apparently against him the whole time.Jervas's Don Quizote. 2. Dexterous in the use of the mind, cunning. "They could not without uneasine see so adroit and el quent an enemy of pure religion constantly attending the royal steps, and constantly breathing counsel in the royal ear."- Macaulay . Hist. Eng., ch. xxi. B. Of things: Resulting from dexterity of hand or of mind. still had a superiority of force; and that superiority he increased by increased by an adroit stratagem."Macaulay: Hist . Eng ., ch. xx. "Before going on board, Mr. Wilson interpreted for me to the Tahitian who had paid me so adroit an attention."-Darwin: Voyage round the World, ch. xviii. a-droit-lý, adv. [ADROIT.] In an adroit manner; dexterously, skilfully. Used primarily of the hands, but more frequently of the mind. "Use yourself to carve adroitly and genteelly."Chesterfield.