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Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary ag·ile \\ˈa-jəl, -ˌjī(-ə)l\\ adjective ETYMOLOGY Middle French, from Latin agilis, from agere to drive, act — more at agent
DATE 1581
1. marked by ready ability to move with quick easy grace an agile dancer2. having a quick resourceful and adaptable character an agile mind• ag·ile·ly \\-jə(l)-lē, -ˌjī(l)-lē\\ adverb
agile
1570s, from L. agilis "that can be moved easily, nimble, quick," from agere "to move, drive" (see act).
Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary-牛津双解-OALD7 agileagile / 5AdVail; NAmE 5AdVl / adjective1. able to move quickly and easily (动作)敏捷的,灵活的 SYN nimble 2. able to think quickly and in an intelligent way (思维)机敏的,机灵的: an agile mind / brain 敏捷的思维；灵活的头脑 • agil·ity / E5dVilEti / noun [U] : He had the agility of a man half his age. 他的敏捷赶得上岁数比他小一半的人。
Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged ag·ile\ˈajə̇l, US also & Brit usually ˈaˌjīl or -īəl\ adjectiveEtymology: Middle French, from Latin agilis, from agere to move, act + -ilis -ile — more at agent 1. : characterized by ready ability to move quickly and easily with suppleness and grace < as bright-eyed and agile as the hares and slim gazelles — Elinor Wylie >2. : characterized by quickness or liveliness of mind, resourcefulness, or adaptability in coping with new and varied situations < the work of a … sympathetic intelligence, agile, humane, and … persuasive — A.D.Culler >Synonyms: nimble , brisk , spry : agile suggests ease in quick motion along with smooth coordination and dexterous performance of sudden or difficult actions < I saw her bounding down the rocky slope like some wild, agile creature possessed of padded hoofs and an infallible instinct — W.H.Hudson > < Silver, agile as a monkey, even without leg or crutch, was on the top of him next moment — R.L.Stevenson > Applied to mental or intellectual matters it suggests ready adaptability and ability to change and adjust < in a flow of racy comment, skimming from one topic to another with an agile irrelevance — Rose Macaulay > nimble stresses lightness and ease of sudden physical motion and suggests ability to dart, dash, or skip; applied to matters mental it suggests quick comprehension and ready responsiveness to change < out ran the two maidens, their frocks flying, nimble feet scudding over the springy turf — Mary Webb > < the mind and the body have in this respect a striking resemblance of each other. In childhood they are both nimble, but not strong; they can skip and frisk about with wonderful agility — William Cowper > brisk suggests lively energetic activity or vivacity; it often applies to manner or attitude rather than physical capability or dexterity < a brisk wind sending small white clouds scudding across the vast East Anglian sky — Osbert Lancaster > < that brisk, managing, lively, imperious woman — W.M.Thackeray > spry indicates an ability for quick easy activity, especially among the old or infirm in whom such ability may be unexpected < I'm a little lame, I ain't as spry as I used to be — J.K.Jerome > < poor Canon Bonnyboat could only limp … whereas Reverend Mother was still as spry as a sparrow — Bruce Marshall >
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