Definition of Finesse

1. Noun. Subtly skillful handling of a situation.

Exact synonyms: Delicacy, Diplomacy, Discreetness
Generic synonyms: Tact, Tactfulness
Derivative terms: Diplomatic, Diplomatical, Discreet, Discreet

Definition of Finesse

1. n. Subtilty of contrivance to gain a point; artifice; stratagem.

2. v. i. To use artifice or stratagem.

Definition of Finesse

1. Noun. The property of having grace, elegance, skill, or balance. ¹

2. Noun. Skill in handling of a situation. ¹

3. Noun. An adroit maneuver. ¹

4. Noun. (countable bridge) A technique which allows one to promote tricks based on a favorable position of one or more cards in the hands of the opponent. ¹

5. Verb. (intransitive card games) ¹

6. Verb. (transitive card games) ¹

7. Verb. (transitive) To handle or manage carefully or skillfully. ¹

8. Verb. (transitive) To evade. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Finesse

1. to bring about by adroit maneuvering [v FINESSED, FINESSING, FINESSES]

Lexicographical Neighbors of Finesse

fineering
fineers
fineish
fineless
finely
fineness
finenesses
finer
finer than frog hair
fineries
finers
finery
fines
fines herbes
finespun
finesse (current term)
finessed
finesser
finessers
finesses
finessing
finest
finetune
finetuned
finetunes
finetuning
finew
finfish
finfishes
finfolk

Literary usage of Finesse

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. A Philosophical Dictionary by Voltaire (1824)
"finesse is not exactly subtlety; we draw a person into a snare with finesse; ... Distrust is inspired by an unsparing use of finesse; yet we almost always ..."

2. The Monthly Review by Charles William Wason (1835)
"finesse is a novel of the domestic class, and attempts to give a picture of every-day life ... finesse contains nothing amounting to a plot or good story. ..."

3. The Diplomatic Relations of England with the Quadruple Alliance, 1815-1830 by Louis Calvert, Myrna M. Boyce, Paul Padgette (1918)
"... and All Actors Must Be Capable of Projecting the Primary Emotions—Tricking an Audience—Sir Herbert Tree's finesse—In Called Bade—His Artifice in ..."

4. Commentaries on the Laws of England: In Four Books by William Blackstone, George Sharswood, Barron Field (1875)
"... (in consequence of the fiction adopted after the conquest) were introduced and laid upon them by the subt'<jty and finesse of the Norman , lawyers. ..."

5. Proceedings by International Congress of Americanists (1882)
"... tissées on a surtout admiré un manteau péruvien d'une grande finesse, dont la décoration en couleur imitant des fleurs et des feuilles, était produite, ..."

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