finesse

[ fi-ness ]
/ fɪˈnɛss /

noun

verb (used without object), fi·nessed, fi·ness·ing.

to use finesse or artifice.
to make a finesse at cards.

verb (used with object), fi·nessed, fi·ness·ing.

Origin of finesse

1400–50; late Middle English: degree of excellence or purity < Middle French < Vulgar Latin *fīnitia. See fine1, -ice

Example sentences from the Web for finesse

British Dictionary definitions for finesse

finesse
/ (fɪˈnɛs) /

noun

elegant skill in style or performance
subtlety and tact in handling difficult situations
bridge whist an attempt to win a trick when opponents hold a high card in the suit led by playing a lower card, hoping the opponent who has already played holds the missing card
a trick, artifice, or strategy

verb

to manage or bring about with finesse
to play (a card) as a finesse

Word Origin for finesse

C15: from Old French, from fin fine, delicate; see fine 1