cunning

/ˈkə-niŋ/

Middle English, from present participle of can know

adjective

  1. dexterous or crafty in the use of special resources (such as skill or knowledge) or in attaining an end

  2. characterized by wiliness and trickery

  3. prettily appealing : cute

a cunning plotter

clever adroit cunning ingenious mean having or showing practical wit or skill in contriving. clever stresses physical or mental quickness, deftness, or great aptitude. adroit often implies a skillful use of expedients to achieve one's purpose in spite of difficulties.

noun

  1. dexterous skill and subtlety (as in inventing, devising, or executing)

  2. craft, slyness

  3. knowledge, learning

high-ribbed vault … with perfect cunning framed

art skill cunning artifice craft mean the faculty of executing well what one has devised. art implies a personal, unanalyzable creative power. skill stresses technical knowledge and proficiency.

noun

  1. clever but morally bad and dishonest methods

He succeeded through a combination of charm and low cunning.