Main Entry:

³fine

Function:

adjective

Inflected Form(s):

fin·er; fin·est

Etymology:

Middle English fin, from Anglo-French, from Latin finis, noun, end, limit

Date:

13th century

1 a: free from impurity bof a metal : having a stated proportion of pure metal in the composition expressed in parts per thousand <a gold coin .9166 fine>2 a (1): very thin in gauge or texture <fine thread> (2): not coarse <fine sand> (3): very small <fine print> (4): keen <a knife with a fine edge> (5): very precise or accurate <a fine adjustment> <trying to be too fine with his pitches> b: physically trained or hardened close to the limit of efficiency —used of an athlete or animal3: delicate, subtle, or sensitive in quality, perception, or discrimination <a fine distinction>4: superior in kind, quality, or appearance : excellent <a fine job> <a fine day> <fine wines>5 a: ornate 1 <fine writing> b: marked by or affecting elegance or refinement <fine manners>6 a: very well <feel fine> b: all right <that's fine with me>7—used as an intensive <the leader, in a fine frenzy, beheaded one of his wives — Brian Crozier>

— fine·ness \ˈfīn-nəs\ noun