Quick and light in movement, or clever and quick-thinking in the mind.
From Old English 'numol,' related to 'niman' (to take or grasp). Originally described physical quickness and the ability to grab things swiftly, later expanded to describe quick mental agility.
Nimble comes from an old verb meaning 'to grab'—so a nimble person is someone who can grab opportunities quickly! This connection shows how our ancestors understood intelligence as the ability to seize chances and react fast, not just to think carefully.
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