Middle English Dictionary Entry
fīnesse n.
Entry Info
Forms | fīnesse n. |
Etymology | From fīn adj.; cp. OF finesse. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Degree of excellence; (b) of metal: purity, fineness.
Associated quotations
a
- (1472-5) RParl.6.155b : The Kyng is gretely deceyved..in the fynesse of such Clothes.
b
- (1444) RParl.5.109a : Their grete Weight and their finesse of Allay.
- (1465) Procl.Edw.IV in Archaeol.12404 : For lb. of silver of the fynesse of a grote rennyng but xxjxs sterlingez.