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   finesse

   /fɪˈnɛs/

   noun

   • 1. impressive delicacy and skill: "orchestral playing of great finesse" Similar skillsubtletyexpertiseflairknackpanachedashflourishelanpolishadroitnessskilfulnessadeptnessartistryartartfulnessvirtuositymasterygeniusinformal:know-how
   • ▪ great subtlety and tact in handling or manipulating people or difficult situations: "clients want advice and action that calls for considerable finesse" Similar tacttactfulnessdiscretiondiplomacydelicacysensitivitydiscernmentperceptivenessprudencejudgementconsiderationrefinementgraceelegancesophisticationwisdomworldly wisdomsoft skillssavoir fairehumorous:couth
   • 2. (in bridge and whist) an attempt to win a trick with a card that is not a certain winner, typically by playing it as the third card in a trick in the hope that any card that could beat it is in the hand of the opponent who has already played. Similar winning movetrickstratagemrusemanoeuvreschemeartificemachinationbluffwileinformal:dodge

   verb

   • 1. bring about or deal with (something) by using great delicacy and skill: "Karen spent ten months finessing the financing for the property"
   • ▪ slyly attempt to avoid blame or censure when dealing with (a situation or problem): North American "despite the administration's attempts to finesse its mishaps, the public remained wary"
   • 2. (in bridge and whist) play (a card) in the hope of winning a trick with it because any card that could beat it is in the hand of the opponent who has already played.

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

   Scrabble Points: 10

   • F

     4

   • I

     1

   • N

     1

   • E

     1

   • S

     1

   • S

     1

   • E

     1

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