Main Entry:

¹fi·nesse

Pronunciation:

\fə-ˈnes\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English, from Middle French, from fin

Date:

1528

1 : refinement or delicacy of workmanship, structure, or texture 2 : skillful handling of a situation : adroit maneuvering 3 : the withholding of one's highest card or trump in the hope that a lower card will take the trick because the only opposing higher card is in the hand of an opponent who has already played