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 b of 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 animal
3 : 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