nimblenessn.
/ˈnɪmblnəs/, U.S. /ˈnɪmb(ə)lnəs/ 1. The quality of being nimble; quickness, agility; dexterity.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > bodily movement > [noun] > qualities of bodily movement > agility or nimbleness
lightnessc1350
delivernessa1382
sleightc1385
deliverancec1410
agility?a1475
deliverhead1493
nimblenessa1500
quiverness?1548
delivery1590
legerity1590
nimbless1596
levity1607
agileness1653
airiness1731
spryness1865
nippiness1916
a1500 (c1425) Andrew of Wyntoun Oryg. Cron. Scotl. (Nero) iv. l. 737 Na nane had nymmylnes to strik.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Isa. xxx. B Ye haue..conforted youre selues with power and nymblenesse.
1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 868 For valiaunt courage..and strength, and nymblenesse of bodie.
1581 R. Mulcaster Positions xvi. 75 Daunsing..may be so full of nimblenesse and actiuitie.
1612 J. Smith Proc. Eng. Colonie in Virginia 5 The Salvages by the nimblenesse of their heeles well escaped.
1676 A. Marvell Mr. Smirke sig. Dv As men set their Arms on their Plate, to prevent the nimbleness of such as would alter the property.
1732 T. Lediard tr. J. Terrasson Life Sethos II. ix. 325 He presum'd to depend on..the nimbleness of his horse.
1777 Philos. Trans. 1776 (Royal Soc.) 66 422 This operation should be performed with all possible nimbleness.
1837 T. Carlyle French Revol. I. vii. vii. 372 To retreat with accelerated nimbleness, through rank after rank.
1861 Sat. Rev. 20 July 63 Nimbleness in playing polkas or dancing them.
1899 Overland Monthly Sept. 277 The poet has made the speed and nimbleness of the goat contribute to a line representing intense action.
1966 F. Herbert Dune III. 350 Pebbles slithered underfoot and she danced across them without considering the nimbleness required.
1984 M. Mahy Changeover v. 71 Sorry climbed on to it with the nimbleness of much practice.
2. Quickness and alertness of the mind, intellect, etc.; mental dexterity.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > understanding > intelligence, cleverness > sharpness, shrewdness, insight > [noun]
sharpnessc897
yepshipc1000
insightc1175
yepleȝȝcc1175
yephedea1250
wit1297
fellnessa1382
policyc1440
discerningc1450
policec1450
inspectiona1527
perceivance1534
aptitude1548
sagacity1548
acuity?1549
nimbleness1561
acumen1579
seeing eye1579
esprit1591
acuteness1601
depth1605
penetration1605
knowingness1611
shrewdnessa1616
piercingnessa1628
discernment1646
sharpwittedness1647
nasuteness1660
arguteness1662
sagaciousness1678
perceptivity1700
keenness1707
cuteness1768
intuition1780
recollectedness1796
long-headedness1818
perceptiveness1823
kokum1848
incision1862
incisiveness1865
penetrativeness1873
flair1881
hard-boiledness1912
smart1964
spikiness1977
sus1979
1561 T. Norton tr. J. Calvin Inst. Christian Relig. i. f. 51 The nimblenesse of the minde of man which veweth the heauen and earth.
1597 R. Hooker Of Lawes Eccl. Politie v. lvi. 122 The personall wisedome of God is..sayd to excell in nimblenes or agilitie.
1602 W. Fulbecke Pandectes 47 Men must not onely fight by warlike instruments, but by nimblenes of witte.
a1652 J. Smith Select Disc. (1660) v. iii. 136 The nimbleness and agility of our own reason.
1711 J. Anderson Countrey-man's Let. to Curat 50 With an Inimitable nimbleness he makes an Argument of him.
1839 Ld. Brougham Hist. Sketches Statesmen George III (ed. 2) 1st Ser. 248 Nimbleness of mind and industry of application.
1889 Spectator 9 Nov. It increases nimbleness of mind, develops curiosity.
1956 Amer. Lit. 27 499 Most of this poetry was composed hastily and by men who did not possess nimbleness of wit.
1987 R. Ingalls End of Trag. 58 Nor had it inhibited the nimbleness of his mathematical juggling.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2003; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.a1500