fine

fine
{{11}}fine (adj.) mid-13c., "unblemished, refined, pure; of superior quality," from O.Fr. fin "perfected, of highest quality" (12c.), from L. finis "end, limit" (see FINISH (Cf. finish)); hence "acme, peak, height," as in finis boni "the highest good." In French, the main meaning remains "delicate, intricately skillful;" in English since mid-15c. fine is also a general expression of admiration or approval, the equivalent of Fr. beau (Cf. fine arts, 1767, translating Fr. beaux-arts). Finer; finest. Fine print "qualifications and limitations of a deal" first recorded 1960.
{{12}}fine (n.) c.1200, "termination," from O.Fr. fin "end, limit, boundary; death; fee, payment, finance, money" (10c.), from M.L. finis "a payment in settlement, fine or tax," from L. finis "end" (see FINISH (Cf. finish)). Modern meaning is via sense of "sum of money paid for exemption from punishment or to compensate for injury" (mid-14c., from the same sense in Anglo-Fr., late 13c.) and from phrases such as to make fine "make one's peace, settle a matter" (c.1300). Meaning "sum of money imposed as penalty for some offense" is first recorded 1520s.
{{12}}fine (v.) late 13c., "pay as a ransom or penalty," from FINE (Cf. fine) (n.). Inverted meaning "to punish by a fine" is from 1550s. Related: Fined; fining.

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

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  • fine — [ fin ] n. f. • XIXe; de 2. fin ♦ Eau de vie de raisin de qualité supérieure. ⇒ cognac. Fine champagne (la Champagne désignant une région autour de Cognac). Une bouteille de fine. Verre de fine. Garçon, une fine ! Une fine à l eau. ⊗ HOM. Fines,… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • fine — (f[imac]n), a. [Compar. {finer} (f[imac]n [ e]r); superl. {finest}.] [F. fin, LL. finus fine, pure, fr. L. finire to finish; cf. finitus, p. p., finished, completed (hence the sense accomplished, perfect.) See {Finish}, and cf. {Finite}.] 1.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Fine — may be: * An adjective meaning attractive, sexy, physically attractive, beautiful etc.Legal* Fine (penalty), financial punishment * Fine of lands, an obsolete type of land conveyance * Fine on alienation, money paid to the lord by a tenant when… …   Wikipedia

  • Fine — ist der Familienname folgender Personen: Anne Fine, britische Schriftstellerin Charles H. Fine, Professor und Buchautor David Fine (Musikmanager) (1929–2005), südafrikanischer Musikmanager David Fine (Schauspieler) (* 1955), US amerikanischer… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • fine — FÍNE s.n. (livr.) Sfârşit. ♢ loc. adv. În fine = a) în sfârşit; b) în concluzie. – Din it. fine, fr. fin, enfin. Trimis de LauraGellner, 11.05.2004. Sursa: DEX 98  FÍNE s. 1. v. capăt. 2 …   Dicționar Român

  • fine — Ⅰ. fine [1] ► ADJECTIVE 1) of very high quality. 2) satisfactory. 3) in good health and feeling well. 4) (of the weather) bright and clear. 5) (of a thread, filament, or hair) thin. 6) of delicate or intricate w …   English terms dictionary

  • fine — fine1 [fīn] adj. finer, finest [ME fin < OFr < ML finus, for L finis, an end, limit: see FINISH] 1. Obs. finished; perfected 2. superior in quality; better than average; excellent; very good [a fine sample] 3. of exceptional character or… …   English World dictionary

  • fine — 1 n [Anglo French fin fine & Medieval Latin finis end, boundary, agreement, payment for release or privilege, monetary penalty, from Latin finis end, boundary] 1: a sum imposed as punishment for an offense compare restitution 2: a forfeiture or… …   Law dictionary

  • fine (1) — {{hw}}{{fine (1)}{{/hw}}A s. f. 1 Punto, momento terminale: eccoci alla fine del cammino; la fine del mondo | Essere in fin di vita, in punto di morte | Dare, porre fine a qlco., terminarla | Alla –f, finalmente | Alla fine dei conti, (fig.)… …   Enciclopedia di italiano

  • FINE — was created in 1998 and is an informal association of the four main Fair Trade networks: *F Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International (FLO) *I International Fair Trade Association (IFAT) *N Network of European Worldshops (NEWS!) and *E… …   Wikipedia

  • fine — [adj1] excellent, masterly accomplished, aces*, admirable, attractive, beautiful, capital, choice, cool*, crack*, dandy*, elegant, enjoyable, exceptional, expensive, exquisite, fashionable, first class, first rate, first string, five star*, gilt… …   New thesaurus

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