finesse

fi·nesse  (f-ns)

n.

1. Refinement and delicacy of performance, execution, or artisanship.

2. Skillful, subtle handling of a situation; tactful, diplomatic maneuvering.

3. A method of leading up to a tenace, as in bridge, in order to prevent an opponent from winning the trick with an intermediate card.

4. A stratagem in which one appears to decline an advantage.

v. fi·nessed, fi·ness·ing, fi·ness·es

v.tr.

1. To accomplish by the use of finesse.

2. To handle with a deceptive or evasive strategy.

3. To play (a card) as a finesse.

v.intr.

1. To use finesse.

2. To make a finesse in cards.

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[French, fineness, subtlety, from fin, fine; see fine¹.]

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finesse [fin-ness]

Noun

1. elegant and delicate skill

2. subtlety and tact in handling difficult situations: a lack of diplomatic finesse

3. Bridge, whist an attempt to win a trick when opponents hold a high card in the suit led by playing a lower card

Verb

[-nessing, -nessed]

1. to bring about with finesse

2. Bridge, whist to play (a card) as a finesse [Old French]

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

finesse - subtly skillful handling of a situation diplomacy, discreetness, delicacy tact, tactfulness - consideration in dealing with others and avoiding giving offense

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finesse

noun 1. skill, style, know-how (informal) polish, craft, sophistication, cleverness, quickness, adroitness, adeptness

noun 2. diplomacy, discretion, subtlety, delicacy, tact, savoir-faire, artfulness, adeptness

verb 3. manoeuvre, steer, manipulate, bluff

Translations

finesse [fɪˈnɛs] n → sutileza

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finesse [fɪˈnɛs] n → finesse f, élégance f

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finesse [fɪˈnɛs] n → Geschick nt

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finesse [fɪˈnɛs] n → finezza