ˈfīnz noun plural
Etymology: fine (III) + -s
1. : finely crushed or powdered material (as ore) ; especially : material finer than the minimum for any specified grade or passing through a screen on which the coarser material is retained
2. : very small particles ; especially : those smaller than average in a mixture of particles of various sizes
the fines in glacial drift
3. : very small fragments of fiber