Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Finesse
1.
Subtilty of contrivance to gain a point; artifice; stratagem.
This is the artificialest piece of
finesse
to persuade men into slavery. Milton.
Fi-nesse′
,Verb.
I.
[
imp. & p. p.
Finessed
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Finessing
.] 1.
To use artifice or stratagem.
Goldsmith.
2.
(Whist Playing)
To attempt, when second or third player, to make a lower card answer the purpose of a higher, when an intermediate card is out, risking the chance of its being held by the opponent yet to play.
Definition 2024
Finesse
finesse
finesse
See also: Finesse
English
Noun
finesse (countable and uncountable, plural finesses)
- (uncountable) The property of having grace, elegance, skill, or balance.
- (uncountable) Skill in handling of a situation.
- (countable) An adroit manoeuvre.
- (countable, bridge) A technique which allows one to promote tricks based on a favorable position of one or more cards in the hands of the opponent.
1. extreme delicacy or subtlety in action, performance, skill, discrimination, taste, etc. 2. skill in handling a difficult or highly sensitive situation; adroit and artful management: exceptional diplomatic finesse. 3. a trick, artifice, or stratagem.
Translations
the property of having grace, elegance, skill, or balance
skill in handling of a situation
|
adroit manoeuvre
|
Verb
finesse (third-person singular simple present finesses, present participle finessing, simple past and past participle finessed)
- (transitive, intransitive, card games) To play (a card) as a finesse (see noun sense above).
- (transitive) To handle or manage carefully or skillfully.
- (transitive) To evade.
See also
French
Noun
finesse f (plural finesses)
- fineness (of hair, writing etc.)
- thinness
- keenness, sharpness (of blade)
- fineness, delicacy; slenderness
- perceptiveness; sensitivity, finesse