Standard Lemma guide
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
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noun
A skill in the handling or manipulation of a situation.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: uncountable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: finessing, footwork
Antonyms: none provided
noun
The property of having elegance, grace, refinement, or skill.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: uncountable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
An adroit maneuver.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
In bridge, whist, etc.: a technique which allows one to win a trick, usually by playing a card when it is thought that a card that can beat it is held by another player whose turn is over.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable
Topics: card-games, games
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
To evade (a problem, situation, etc.) by using some clever argument or stratagem.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: Canada, US, transitive
Topics: government, politics
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
To evade (a problem, situation, etc.) by using some clever argument or stratagem.
To handle or manage carefully or skilfully; to manipulate in a crafty way.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: Canada, US, ambitransitive, transitive
Topics: government, politics
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: zhoosh
Antonyms: none provided
verb
To evade (a problem, situation, etc.) by using some clever argument or stratagem.
To obtain something from someone through trickery or manipulation.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: Canada, US, slang, transitive
Topics: government, politics
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
To attempt to win a trick by finessing.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: intransitive
Topics: card-games, games
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
To play (a card) as a finesse.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
Topics: card-games, games
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
To play a ball out of the way of an opponent.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: intransitive, obsolete
Qualifier: croquet
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
subtly skillful handling of a situation
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: delicacy, diplomacy, discreetness
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: tact, tactfulness
History
From Middle English finesse (“a degree of excellence; (of metal) fineness, purity”), from Middle French finesse, Old French finesse (“a fineness; a delicacy; slenderness”), from fine, fin (“fine, thin”) (from Latin fīnis (“an end”); compare Middle English fīn (“of superior quality; precious, valuable; admirable, pleasing; pure, refined; fineness, purity; delicate, exquisite, fine; sharp, thin”)) + -esse (suffix forming nouns describing the condition of being something). The verb is derived from the noun.
Across languages
48 source translations are retained for this English entry.
