I. fine ˈfīn noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French fin, fine, from Latin finis boundary, end
Date: 13th century
1. obsolete : end , conclusion
2. : a compromise of a fictitious suit used as a form of conveyance of lands
3.
a. : a sum imposed as punishment for an offense
b. : a forfeiture or penalty paid to an injured party in a civil action
•
- in fine
II. fine transitive verb
( fined ; fin·ing )
Date: 1559
: to impose a fine on : punish by a fine
III. fine adjective
( 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
IV. fine adverb
Date: 14th century
1. : finely : as
a. : very well
b. : all right
2. : with a very narrow margin of time or space
she had not intended to cut her escape so fine — Melinda Beck et al.
V. fine verb
( fined ; fin·ing )
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
1. : purify , clarify
fine and filter wine
2. : to make finer in quality or size
intransitive verb
1. : to become pure or clear
the ale will fine
2. : to become smaller in lines or proportions
VI. fi·ne ˈfē-(ˌ)nā noun
Etymology: Italian, from Latin finis end
Date: circa 1798
: end — used as a direction in music to mark the closing point after a repeat