fining

fine ¹  (fn)

adj. fin·er, fin·est

1. Of superior quality, skill, or appearance: a fine day; a fine writer.

2. Very small in size, weight, or thickness: fine type; fine paper.

3.

a. Free from impurities.

b. Metallurgy Containing pure metal in a specified proportion or amount: gold 21 carats fine.

4. Very sharp; keen: a blade with a fine edge.

5. Thin; slender: fine hairs.

6. Exhibiting careful and delicate artistry: fine china. See Synonyms at delicate.

7. Consisting of very small particles; not coarse: fine dust.

8.

a. Subtle or precise: a fine difference.

b. Able to make or detect effects of great subtlety or precision; sensitive: has a fine eye for color.

9. Trained to the highest degree of physical efficiency: a fine racehorse.

10. Characterized by refinement or elegance.

11. Satisfactory; acceptable: Handing in your paper on Monday is fine.

12. Being in a state of satisfactory health; quite well: I'm fine. And you?

13. Used as an intensive: a fine mess.

adv.

1. Finely.

2. Informal Very well: doing fine.

tr. & intr.v. fined, fin·ing, fines

To make or become finer, purer, or cleaner.

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[Middle English fin, from Old French, from Latin fnis, end, supreme degree.]

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fineness n.

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fine ²  (fn)

n.

1. A sum of money required to be paid as a penalty for an offense.

2. Law

a. A forfeiture or penalty to be paid to the offended party in a civil action.

b. An amicable settlement of a suit over land ownership.

3. Obsolete An end; a termination.

tr.v. fined, fin·ing, fines

To require the payment of a fine from; impose a fine on.

Idiom:

in fine

1. In conclusion; finally.

2. In summation; in brief.

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[Middle English fin, from Old French, settlement, compensation, from Medieval Latin fnis, from Latin, end.]

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fina·ble, finea·ble adj.

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fi·ne ³  (fn)

n. Music

The end.

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[Italian, from Latin fnis, end.]

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fining [ˈfaɪnɪŋ]

n

1. (Fine Arts & Visual Arts / Ceramics) the process of removing undissolved gas bubbles from molten glass

2. (Miscellaneous Technologies / Brewing) the process of clarifying liquors by the addition of a coagulant

3. (Miscellaneous Technologies / Brewing) (plural) a substance, such as isinglass, added to wine, beer, etc., to clarify it

[from fine¹ (in the sense: to clarify, refine)]