finesse /fɪˈnɛs/verb 6noun 4forms 3 verb6 •To handle or manage carefully or skilfully; to manipulate in a crafty way.Distressed as she was, she rose the next morning determined to contend with her feelings,—to think no more of Trevor,—and to finesse no more for a husband—she had had enough of it. — 1835 •To evade (a problem, situation, etc.) by using some clever argument or stratagem.The founders deliberately finessed other issues concerning religion and the relationship between church and state to ensure the ratification of the Constitution. — 2013 •(US, slang) To obtain something from someone through trickery or manipulation.I was tryin'a finesse you outta them drawers, and you finessed a nigga out his heart," he said with a chuckle, "But that's cool. 'Cause I know it's in good hands." — 2020 •To attempt to win a trick by finessing. •To play (a card) as a finesse. •(no longer used) To play a ball out of the way of an opponent. noun4 •A skill in the handling or manipulation of a situation.The Treaty of Madrid called into action the diplomatic finesse, or rather the low cunning of the English cabinet. — 1840 •The property of having elegance, grace, refinement, or skill. •An adroit maneuver. •In bridge, whist, etc.: a technique which allows one to win a trick, usually by playing a card when it is thought that a card that can beat it is held by another player whose turn is over. formsfinessed · finessing · finesses
