Hypertext Webster Gateway: "finesse"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Finesse \Fi`nesse"\ (? or ?), n. [F., fr. fin fine. See {Fine},
a.]
1. Subtilty of contrivance to gain a point; artifice;
stratagem.
This is the artificialest piece of finesse to
persuade men into slavery. --Milton.
2. (Whist Playing) The act of finessing. See {Finesse}, v.
i., 2.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Finesse \Fi*nesse"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Finessed}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Finessing}.]
1. To use artifice or stratagem. --Goldsmith.
2. (Whist Playing) To attempt, when second or third player,
to make a lower card answer the purpose of a higher, when
an intermediate card is out, risking the chance of its
being held by the opponent yet to play.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
finesse
n : subtly skillful handling of a situation [syn: {delicacy}, {diplomacy},
{discreetness}]
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