The term EXERCISE IN DEXTERITY can be broken down into two crossword solutions: ETUDE (5 letters) and GYMNASTIC (9 letters). An etude is a short musical composition, usually of considerable difficulty, designed to provide practice material for perfecting a particular musical skill. Gymnastics is a sport that requires physical strength, flexibility, agility, coordination, balance, and grace. Both of these activities require a high level of dexterity, or the ability to use one's hands and fingers skillfully.