To be adept, or an adept

I asked Gemini if to be adept at something meant not just having knowledge but also practice. I asked this because I referred to myself as an adept regarding the Work, and it sounded vain, perhaps New Age silly, yet I thought I was onto something. Here's the reply:

Yes, absolutely! To be adept at something means much more than just having knowledge. It implies a high level of skill and proficiency, which can only be developed through practice and experience.

Think of it this way:

 * Knowledge is understanding the theory or the "how-to." You might know all the rules of chess, for example.

 * Practice is applying that knowledge repeatedly, learning from mistakes, and refining your technique. This is where you actually play chess games and improve your strategy.

Someone who is truly adept at something can not only explain how it works but can also perform it skillfully and effectively. They've internalized the knowledge through application.