fine

Definition

Senses referring to subjective quality.

Etymology

From Middle English fin, fyn, from Old French fin (“fine, minute, exact”), of obscure origin, but probably derived from Latin fīnīre (“to finish”) or fīnis (“boundary, limit, end”), with an abstract sense of fine or thin also arising in many Romance languages (compare Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian fino). Doublet of fino.

Example Sentences

• "The tree frog that they encountered was truly a fine specimen."
• "Only a really fine wine could fully complement Lucía's hand-made pasta."
• ""That's a fine young fellow," said the historiographer of earwigs, to an American who stood next him in the crowd."