Nimbler

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Displaying greater speed and lightness in movement or action compared to others
2. Having superior agility or quickness in physical or mental activities
3. Being faster and more deft in motions or responses than another

Etymology: "Nimbler" is the comparative of "nimble," and the surprise lies in the base word. Old English had "nǣmel," meaning "receptive, quick to grasp," and "numol," meaning "able to take, capable of holding." Both came from "niman," "to take," so the original sense of a nimble thing was something that could readily grasp or seize. Speed came later, as a figurative extension of that quickness of hand and mind. The word then passed through Middle English forms such as "nymyl" and "nemel," which meant "agile, quick, ready, able, capable," before settling into the spelling we use. Along the way a -b- slipped in, an intrusive consonant that is not present in the older forms. Its nearest relatives in other languages show the original sense clearly: German "nehmen" and Old Norse "nema" both still mean "to take."

Synonyms: quicker, faster, more agile

Antonyms: slower, clumsier