finesse
[fi-ness]
- extreme delicacy or subtlety in action, performance, skill, discrimination, taste, etc.
- skill in handling a difficult or highly sensitive situation; adroit and artful management: exceptional diplomatic finesse.
- a trick, artifice, or stratagem.
- Bridge, Whist. an attempt to win a trick with a card while holding a higher card not in sequence with it, in the hope that the card or cards between will not be played.
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- to use finesse or artifice.
- to make a finesse at cards.
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- to bring about by finesse or artifice.
- to avoid; circumvent.
- to make a finesse with (a card).
- to force the playing of (a card) by a finesse.
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Origin of finesse
Synonyms
See more synonyms for finesse on Thesaurus.com1, 2. tact, diplomacy, savoir faire, circumspection, sensitivity, sensibility.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for finesse
Contemporary Examples
The best whiskies are made with finesse and the same attention to detail and mindfulness as the finest teas or sushi.
A lot of Republican candidates are trying to finesse the establishment-Tea Party Maginot Line and be both things to all people.
Whereas the first three seasons were subtle, there is a decided lack of finesse here.
Perhaps the language loses some finesse after being translated from Italian, by Jamie Richards.
The days when skill in ball placement and finesse could outgun power have long past.
Historical Examples
As he was clumsy in finesse, she understood his idea, and her eyes flashed.
Quaint CourtshipsVarious
We see nothing but nature; not a particle of false delicacy or finesse.
Female Scripture Biographies, Vol. IFrancis Augustus Cox
Through his father's finesse, Paul moved in select London circles.
Oswald LangdonCarson Jay Lee
The public taste condones it, may even be said to relish it to finesse.
RecollectionsDavid Christie Murray
However, I have no doubt that with a little delicacy and finesse the end may be attained.
The Return of Sherlock HolmesArthur Conan Doyle
finesse
- elegant skill in style or performance
- subtlety and tact in handling difficult situations
- bridge whist an attempt to win a trick when opponents hold a high card in the suit led by playing a lower card, hoping the opponent who has already played holds the missing card
- a trick, artifice, or strategy
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- to manage or bring about with finesse
- to play (a card) as a finesse
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Word Origin
C15: from Old French, from fin fine, delicate; see fine 1
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for finesse
n.
1520s, from Middle French finesse "fineness, subtlety," from Old French fin "subtle, delicate" (see fine (adj.)).
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v.
1746, originally as a term in whist; see finesse (n.). Related: Finessed; finessing.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper