She had the quickest wit and the deftest skill in mimicry, and there was that in her laughter which would infect the glummest.

The rival poets assembled to discover who could turn the deftest phrases in satire of the opposing tribe, or extol most eloquently the bravery and skill of his own people, the beauty and modesty of their women, and from these wild outpourings Mahomet learnt to clothe his thoughts in that splendid garment whose jewels illumine the earlier part of the Kuran.

The arbor-vitae along the banks marked tracery more delicate than any ever wrought by deftest craftsman in western window of an antique fane.

Shakespeare the actor was by the common consent of his enemies one of the deftest fellows that ever made use of other men's materials'Convey, the wise it call.'