Sekirov Dictionary

cunning

/ˈkʌnɪŋ/

noun 5
adjective 4
forms 5

noun5

•
Practical skill employed in a secret or crafty manner; craft; artifice; skillful deceit; art or magic.
- Caliban: As I told thee before, I am subject to a tyrant, a sorcerer that by his cunning hath cheated me of the island. — 1610
The disposition to employ one's skill in an artful manner; craftiness; guile; artifice; skill of being cunning, sly, conniving, or deceitful.
The natural wit or instincts of an animal.
•
Practical knowledge or experience; aptitude in performance; skill, proficiency; dexterity.
- indeed at this very moment he's slipped away with the utmost cunning into a form that's most perplexing to investigate. — 2005
(no longer used) Knowledge; learning; special knowledge (sometimes implying occult or magical knowledge).

adjective4

•
Sly; crafty; clever in surreptitious behaviour.
- They are resolved to be cunning; let others run the hazard of being sincere. — 1692
•
(informal, old-fashioned) Cute, appealing.
- everybody gives something to the cunning little boy; his eyes are large and soft, and he wears a pointed hat, and tight breeches, and jacket — 1857
•
(no longer used) Skillful, artful.
- Esau was a cunning hunter. — 1611
•
(no longer used) Wrought with, or exhibiting, skill or ingenuity; ingenious.
- Over them Arachne high did lift / Her cunning web. — 1590

forms

cunnings · cunninger · more cunning · cunningest · most cunning

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