adeptnessn.
/ˈadɛp(t)nəs/, /əˈdɛp(t)nəs/, U.S. /əˈdɛp(t)nəs/ Skill or proficiency at something.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > ability > skill or skilfulness > [noun] > expertise or proficiency
craftOE
perfectionc1475
accomplement?c1525
proficiency1597
handiness1601
profection1605
expertnessa1616
provection1652
prowessa1668
proficience1713
adeptness1731
hability1840
expertise1868
expertship1880
expertism1886
wizardry1951
1731 Neville's News from New-Exchange (ed. 2) To Rdr. 3 Thou needest not to doubt of his, or their Adeptness, and Sufficiency for such a Task.
1775 D. Leonard Massachusettensis xi. 76 An adeptness at discovering grievances, has lately been one of the principal recommendations to public notice and popular applause.
1820 Leigh's New Picture London (ed. 4) iv. 107 There are schools to teach adeptness in thieving.
1881 G. Saintsbury in Academy 5 Feb. 92 None the less does Vane's Story complete the proof of Mr. Thomson's poetical adeptness.
1941 S. J. French Torch & Crucible 112 With his..adeptness as an organizer and his scientific genius, Lavoisier was the ideal man to bring order to this chaotic industry.
1995 Sunday Mail (Queensland) (Nexis) 29 Jan. 96 Motivated by an adeptness in selling, he risked his mother's mortgage to double the dealership's turnover in the first 12 months.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2011; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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n.1731