finesse (fines)

[= D. Dan. fine e = Sw. fine , Prowde speeches and too much fine e and curios i tie is not commendable in an Emba adour. Putten ham , Arte of Eng. Poesie, p. 223. A masterpiece of diplomatic fine e and political invention, electioneering viewed on the most magnificent scale, exhibits a political drama which for the honour and happine of mankind is of rare and strange occurrence. I. D'Israeli , Curios. of Lit., IV. 255. Compared to his brethren in the East, the Persian de picted in books of travel, however distinguished by questionable fine e and arrant falsity, has always presented a certain humorous side to European readers. Athenæum, No. 3085, p. 777. 2. In whist, the play (usually by the third hand, but occasionally by the second) of a card (say C) of the suit led, lower than another (A) in the hand, in the hope that an unplayed card (B) of intermediate value, whose position is still unknown, may be found to lie to the right, so that the trick may be taken by the card C while A is reserved to take B.-31. Finene of perception. But he [Pope] (his musical fine e was such, So nice his ear, so delicate his touch) Made poetry a mere mechanic art. Cowper, Table-Talk, 1. 652. =Syn. 1. Artifice, Manœuver, etc. (see artifice ); skill, artfulne , adroitne , craft, subterfuge. fine e (fi-nes'), v.; pret. and pp. fine ed, ppr. fine ing. [ Though secure of our hearts, yet confoundedly sick If they were not his own by fine ing and trick. Goldsmith, Retaliation, 1. 106. 2. In whist - playing, to attempt to take a trick by fine e. With minor tenace it is generally proper to fine e the second round, as the best card must probably be to your Pole, Whist, v. left. II. trans. In whist - playing , to practise or perform a fine e with: as, to fine e a king, a knave, etc. fine-still (fin's til), v. t. To distil, as spirits, from mola es, treacle, or some preparation of saccharine matter.