finesse (fɪˈnɛs
)
Definitions
noun
- 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
verb
- to manage or bring about with finesse
- to play (a card) as a finesse
Word Origin
C15: from Old French, from fin fine, delicate; see fineC15: from Old French, from fine, delicate; see 1Synonyms
View thesaurus entry=
skill,
style,
know-how,
polish,
craft,
sophistication,
cleverness,
quickness,
adroitness,
adeptness,
Usage examples
Black cat, however, cannot learn the finesse of grey cat: she is impatient of it.
, ON CATS (2002)Diplomatic finesse is a fine art; caution, which was all that the BJP-led coalition had to exercise, is a simple strategy.
Business Today (1998)The game is ridiculously fast and the cars handle with real finesse.
Courier, Sunday Mail (2004)A Tiger adding finesse to fire: Leicester lean on Joel Stransky for a balance of power.
Independent (1998)This does not diminish the quality, even the greatness of Mrs Thatcher's finesse at staying at the top.
, Frustrate Their Knavish Tricks (1994)