fine
1 (fīn)
[Middle English fin, from Old French, from Latin fīnis, end, supreme degree.]
adjective: fin·er, fin·est.
- Of superior quality, skill, or appearance: a fine day; a fine writer.
- Very small in size, weight, or thickness: fine type; fine paper.
- Free from impurities.
- Metallurgy Containing pure metal in a specified proportion or amount: gold 21 carats fine.
- Very sharp; keen: a blade with a fine edge.
- Thin; slender: fine hairs.
- Exhibiting careful and delicate artistry: fine china. See synonyms at delicate
- Consisting of very small particles; not coarse: fine dust.
- Subtle or precise: a fine difference.
- Able to make or detect effects of great subtlety or precision; sensitive: has a fine eye for color.
- Trained to the highest degree of physical efficiency: a fine racehorse.
- Characterized by refinement or elegance.
- Satisfactory; acceptable: Handing in your paper on Monday is fine.
- Being in a state of satisfactory health; quite well: I'm fine. And you?
- Used as an intensive: a fine mess.
adverb
- Finely.
- Informal Very well: doing fine.
tr. & intr.v.: fined, fin·ing, fines.
- To make or become finer, purer, or cleaner.
derivatives
- finéness
- noun
fine
2 (fīn)
[Middle English fin, from Old French, settlement, compensation, from Medieval Latin fīnis, from Latin, end.]
noun
- A sum of money required to be paid as a penalty for an offense.
- Law
- A forfeiture or penalty to be paid to the offended party in a civil action.
- An amicable settlement of a suit over land ownership.
- Obsolete An end; a termination.
transitive verb: fined, fin·ing, fines.
- To require the payment of a fine from; impose a fine on.
idioms
- in fine
- In conclusion; finally. In summation; in brief.
derivatives
- fińa·ble
- adjective
fi·ne
3 (fḗnā)
[Italian, from Latin fīnis, end.]
noun
Music- The end.
