fineness
Americannoun
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the state or quality of being fine.
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the proportion of pure precious metal in an alloy, often expressed in parts per thousand.
noun
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the state or quality of being fine
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a measurement of the purity of precious metal, expressed as the number of parts per thousand that is precious metal
Etymology
Origin of fineness
late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50; see origin at fine 1, -ness
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Any coin issued under the laws of any state or any gold, silver, platinum or palladium bullion of a certain fineness, if a trustee keeps physical possession of it, are not included.
From MarketWatch • Nov. 25, 2025
The fineness yields tender baked goods with a moist, airy crumb—perfect for delicate sponges and pillowy cookies, like snickerdoodles.
From Salon • Jun. 30, 2022
But reading of the societal developments, we may yearn for the fineness of touch with which the novel opened.
From New York Times • Jan. 7, 2022
A feeling arose within me: I loved this place and its fineness.
From Slate • May 9, 2019
Edward never ceased to be amazed at his own fineness.
From "The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane" by Kate DiCamillo
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
