veikls

Latvian

Etymology

Derived from the verb veikt (“to carry out, to accomplish”) (q.v.). This word varied its semantics rather strongly throughout time and space (meaning at times “circumspect, calm,” “modest, virtuous,” “successful,” etc.) Cognates include Lithuanian veiklùs (“active, diligent”), veikùs (“quick, agile; capable”).[1]

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): [vēīkls]

Adjective

veikls (definite veiklais, comparative veiklāks, superlative visveiklākais, adverb veikli)

  1. (of people, animals, their bodies) agile, dexterous, deft, neat, skillful, precise (that which moves quickly, smoothly, precisely; which works quickly, smoothly, efficiently)
    veikls peldētājs, skrējējs ― agile swimmer, runner
    veikla strādniece ― skillful (female) worker
    veikla dejotāja ― agile, deft (female) dancer
    veiklas rokas ― agile, deft hands
    veikls stāstītājs, rakstītājs ― skillful, deft storyteller, writer
    vāvere ir ļoti veikla ― the squirrel is very agile
    Ilma ir vēl stalta sieva, lokana kā vica un veikla kā zebiekste ― Irma is still a stately woman, flexible like a twig and agile like a weasel
    lai gan Tibils bija jau vecs, bet kalnā kapšanā viņš bija veiklāks par dēlu ― though ibils was already old, at mountain climbing he was more agile, more skillful than (his) son
    uz sauszemes krokodils nevarēja sagrābt ne zālēdājus, ne putnus, jo nebija pietiekami veikls ― on dry land, crocodiles cannot catch herbivores or birds, because they were not sufficiently agile
  2. (of actions) agile, dexterous, deft, neat, precise (carried out with speed, agility, neatness, precision)
    veikls lēciens ― agile leap
    veiklas pirkstu kustības ― agile finger movements
  3. (of people) able, resourceful, quick-witted, skillful (capable of using a situation to one's advantage; expressing such capacity)
    veikls runātājs ― able, deft, skillful speaker
    veikls blēdis ― able, skillful cheat, swindler
    veikla runa ― quick(-witted) (= also, compelling) talk
    veikls manevrs ― able, skillful maneuver
    Viesturs liegi uzklāja Everīnas pleciem savu žaketi; jā, viņš bija veikls zēns un īsts džentlmenis ― Viesturs gently covered Everīna's shoulders with his jacket; yes, he was an able, resourceful boy and a true gentleman

Declension

Synonyms

Derived terms

References

  1. Karulis, Konstantīns (1992) “veikls”, in Latviešu Etimoloģijas Vārdnīca (in Latvian), Rīga: AVOTS, →ISBN
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