proficiency
(prəʊˈfɪʃənsɪ)
[f. as prec. + -ency.]
† 1. Progress or advance towards completeness or perfection; improvement in skill or knowledge, as distinguished from perfection.
| 1544 Coverdale Let. to C. Hubert Wks. (Parker Soc.) II. 517 John Dodman,..I trust, has by this time made such proficiency in the German language, that I doubt not of his being able to discharge the duties of his office to the benefit of the church. 1624 Donne Lett. (1651) 7 Heaven is not a place of a proficiency, but of present perfection. a 1662 Heylin Laud (1668) 317 The Hebrew and Chaldaick Tongues..became to be so generally embraced, and so chearfully studied, that it received a wonderful proficiency. 1690 Norris Beatitudes (1694) I. 118 We are now in a State of Proficiency, not of Perfection. 1849 Macaulay Hist. Eng. vii. II. 164 Meanwhile he made little proficiency in fashionable or literary accomplishments. 1855 Prescott Philip II, I. i. ii. 13 In sculpture and painting he also made some proficiency. |
2. a. The state or degree of improvement attained; an advanced condition; the quality or fact of being proficient; adeptness, expertness, skill.
| a 1639 Wotton Aphorisms Educ. in Reliq. (1672) 91 Pleasing themselves more in opinion of some proficiency, in terms of hunting or horsemanship. 1699 Bentley Phal. Pref. 64 He has shown his Proficiency in the noble Science of Detraction. 1726 Swift Gulliver iii. ii, A tolerable proficiency in their language. 1758 Blackstone Comm. I. Introd. i. 17 The clergy in particular..were peculiarly remarkable for their proficiency in the study of the law. 1859 C. Barker Assoc. Princ. ii. 56 A proficiency in the use of these weapons being acquired..by..athletic games. 1907 Daily Chron. 23 Feb. 4/3 Men of over two years' service will be eligible for this proficiency pay (threepence or sixpence extra a day) by the attainment of a defined standard of skill in musketry, signalling, or some other branch. |
b. (With
a and
pl.) Progress made or adeptness attained in a particular subject.
rare.
| a 1662 Heylin Laud i. (1668) 49 Partly by his own proficiencies, and partly by the good esteem which was had of his Father, he was nominated..unto a Scholars place in that House. a 1729 J. Rogers Serm., 1 Cor. x. 12 (1735) 104 Reflecting with too much Satisfaction on their own Proficiencies. |
3. attrib. and
Comb., as
proficiency certificate,
proficiency level,
proficiency test;
proficiency badge Scouting and Guiding, a badge worn to mark achievement in a given test of skill or endurance;
proficiency pay Mil., increased pay given in respect of proficiency.
| 1921 Daily Colonist (Victoria, B.C.) 10 Apr. 9/4 It is proposed to further consider the proficiency badges which a Two Star Wolf Cub can obtain. 1970 Policy, Organisation & Rules of Scout Assoc. ii. 25 The Cub Scout proficiency badges are designed to give advanced training in the twelve areas referred to. 1970 G. F. Newman Sir, You Bastard 259 Sneed still held the proficiency certificate for using people. 1977 P. Strevens New Orientations Teaching of English viii. 91 Proficiency level, particularly the distinction between beginners and non-beginners. |
| 1909 Westm. Gaz. 24 Apr. 2/3 {pstlg}450,000 is the charge for the service or proficiency pay of British soldiers. 1918 E. S. Farrow Dict. Mil. Terms 473 Proficiency pay, in the British service, extra pay, varying from 3d. to 6d. daily, issuable to soldiers of cavalry, artillery, infantry and school of musketry, according to conditions laid down in the Royal Warrant. 1960 D. D. Eisenhower in Public Papers of Presidents of U.S. 1960–1961 49 Additional longevity pay of career personnel,..an increased number of men drawing proficiency pay. |
| 1918 E. S. Farrow Dict. Mil. Terms 473 Proficiency test, in target practice, the annual test conducted to determine the proficiency of organizations in collective marksmanship. |