dexterities

This finger of mine, so quick with sensation, so subtle to feel, so delicate in its multifarious dexterities, so firm and strong to crook and bend or stiffen by means of cunning leverages -- this finger is not I.

Chapter 12 2010

I suck my paws; I live for my dexterities and by my accomplishments; even my clumsinesses are my joy — my woodcuts, my stumbling on the pipe, this surveying even — and even weeding sensitive; anything to do with the mind, with the eye, with the hand — with a part of me; diversion flows in these ways for the dreary man.

Vailima Letters 2005

Mock combats frequently take place amongst them, in which they are encouraged by the adults, that they may acquire the dexterities of warfare, in which they are soon to be more seriously engaged.

An account of the manners and customs of the Aborigines and the state of their relations with Europeans, by Edward John Eyre 2004

Of all the wondrous devices and dexterities, the sleights of hand and countless subtleties, to which the veteran whaleman is so often forced, none exceed that fine manoeuvre with the lance called pitchpoling.

Moby Dick; or the Whale 2002

In all the feats and dexterities of the swimmer's art, Eiulo far outdid the rest of us, moving through the water with the ease, rapidity, and gracefulness of a fish.

The Island Home Richard Archer

In fact, there are subtle dexterities, acquired by sagacious experience in searching for valuable little trinkets in great libraries, just as in other pursuits.

The Book-Hunter A New Edition, with a Memoir of the Author John Hill Burton

We use our muscles for more varied and possibly more finished purposes, but it is through the patience and practise of their rude lives that we possess the delicate uses of the hands and the finer dexterities of the mind.

Popular Science Monthly Oct, Nov, Dec, 1915 — Volume 86 Anonymous

He showed that his doings were only of a piece with those of thousands around him in society; and this not unreasonable extenuation is one that few of his critics are apt to make use of in commenting on him and his dexterities of living.

The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 06, No. 33, July, 1860 Various

If Milton, Shakspeare, or Dryden had been born with the same genius and inspiration for music as for poetry, and had passed through the practical part without corrupting the natural taste, or blending with it any prepossession in favour of sleights and dexterities of hand, then would their notes be tuned to passions and to sentiments as natural and expressive as the tones and modulations of the voice in discourse.

The Illustrated London Reading Book Various

And here was a thing for the little dexterities of a lawyer's clerk.

The Sleuth of St. James's Square Melville Davisson Post