Forms: 5 agilite, 5–6 agylyte, -ie, 6 agilitie, 6– agility. [a. Fr. agilité (14th c.) ad. L. agilitāt-em, f. agilis: see AGILE.] The quality of being agile; readiness for motion; nimbleness, activity, dexterity in motion.
1413. Lydg., Pylgr. Sowle, V. iii. (1483), 94. Subtilite Clerte Inpassibilite and agylyte ben cleped the dowerys of the body.
1483. Caxton, Gold. Leg., I. 3. Agilite and lightnes of theyr bodyes.
1533. More, Apol., ix. Wks. 1557, 863/2. Gyftes of nature … as wytte, bewtye, strengthe, agylytie.
1597. Morley, Introd. Music, 150. With a quicke hand playing vpon an instrument, shewing in voluntarie the agilitie of his fingers.
1605. Bacon, Adv. Learn., I. vii. § 3. They … trust to the agilitie of their wit.
1646. Sir T. Browne, Pseud. Ep., II. iv. (1686), 60. Which motion is performed by the breath of the effluvium issuing with agility.
1791. Cowper, Iliad, XI. 806. In my limbs No longer lives the agility of youth.
1801. Strutt, Sports & Past., Introd. 2. Exertions requiring strength and agility of body.
