pons, etc. _Aptitude_ (L.
_aptus_, fit, fitted) is a natural _readiness_, which by practise may be
developed into _dexterity_. _Skill_ is more exact to line, rule, and
method than _dexterity_. _Dexterity_ can not be communicated, and,
oftentimes can not even be explained by its possessor; _skill_ to a very
great extent can be imparted; "_skilled_ workmen" in various trades are
numbered by thousands. Compare ADDRESS; CLEVER; POWER; SKILFUL.

Prepositions:

Dexterity _of_ hand, _of_ movement, _of_ management; _with_ the pen;
_in_ action, _in_ manipulating men; _at_ cards.

* * * * *

DICTION.

Synonyms:

expression, phrase, style, vocabulary,
language, phraseology, verbiage, wording.

An author's _diction_ is strictly his choice and use of words, with no
special reference to thought; _expression_ regards the words simply as
the vehicle of the thought. _Phrase_ and _phraseology_ apply to words or
combinations of words which are somewhat technical; as, in legal
_phraseology_; in military _phrase_. _Diction_ is general; _wording_ is
limited; we speak of the _diction_ of an author or of a work, the
_wording_ of a proposition, of a resolution, etc. _Verbiage_ never bears
this sense (see CIRCUMLOCUTION.) The _language_ of a writer or speaker
may be the national speech he employs; as, the English or French
_language_; or the word may denote his use of that _language_; as, the
author's _language_ is well (or ill) chosen. _Style_ includes _diction_,
_expression_, rhetorical figures such as metaphor and simile, the effect
of an author's prevailing tone of thought, of his personal traits--in
short, all that makes up the clothing of thought in words; thus, we
speak of a figurative _style_, a frigid or an argumentative _style_,
etc., or of the _style_ of Macaulay, Prescott, or others. An author's
_vocabulary_ is the range of words which he brings into his use. Compare
LANGUAGE.

* * * * *

DIE.

Synonyms:

cease, decline, expire, perish,
decease, depart, fade, wither.

_Die_, to go out of life, become destitute of vital power and action,
is figuratively applied to anything which has the appearance of life.

Where the _dying_ night-lamp flickers.

TENNYSON _Locksley Hall_ st. 40.

An echo, a strain of music, a tempest, a topic, an issue, _dies_.
_Expire_ (literally, to breathe