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   Fi·nesse

   /fəˈnes/

   

   noun

   • 1. intricate and refined delicacy: "orchestral playing of great finesse" Similar skillsubtletyexpertiseflairknackpanachedashflourishelanpolishadroitnessskillfulnessadeptnessartistryartartfulnessvirtuositymasterygeniusinformal:know-how
   • ▪ artful subtlety, typically that needed for tactful handling of a difficulty: "clients want advice and action that calls for considerable finesse" Similar tacttactfulnessdiscretiondiplomacydelicacysensitivitydiscernmentperceptivenessprudencejudgmentconsiderationrefinementgraceelegancesophisticationwisdomworldly wisdomsoft skillssavoir fairehumorous:couth
   • 2. (in bridge and whist) an attempt to win a trick with a card that is not a certain winner. Similar winning movetrickstratagemrusemaneuverschemeartificemachinationbluffwileinformal:dodge

   verb

   • 1. do (something) in a subtle and delicate manner: "his third shot, which he attempted to finesse, failed by a fraction"
   • ▪ slyly attempt to avoid blame or censure when dealing with (a situation or action): North American "the administration's attempts to finesse its mishaps"
   • 2. (in bridge and whist) play (a card that is not a certain winner) in the hope of winning a trick with it: "the declarer finesses ♦J"

   Word Origin late Middle English (in the sense ‘purity, delicacy’): from French, related to fine1.

   Scrabble Points: 10

   • F

     4

   • I

     1

   • N

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   • E

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   • S

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   • S

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   • E

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