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fineness

 - 3 dictionary results

fine⋅ness

[fahyn-nis]
–noun
1. the state or quality of being fine.
2. the proportion of pure precious metal in an alloy, often expressed in parts per thousand.

Origin:
1400–50; late ME; see fine 1 , -ness
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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fine 1   (fīn)   
adj.   fin·er, fin·est
  1. Of superior quality, skill, or appearance: a fine day; a fine writer.

  2. Very small in size, weight, or thickness: fine type; fine paper.

    1. Free from impurities.

    2. Metallurgy Containing pure metal in a specified proportion or amount: gold 21 carats fine.

    3. Subtle or precise: a fine difference.

    4. Able to make or detect effects of great subtlety or precision; sensitive: has a fine eye for color.

  3. Very sharp; keen: a blade with a fine edge.

  4. Thin; slender: fine hairs.

  5. Exhibiting careful and delicate artistry: fine china. See Synonyms at delicate.

  6. Consisting of very small particles; not coarse: fine dust.

    1. Subtle or precise: a fine difference.

    2. Able to make or detect effects of great subtlety or precision; sensitive: has a fine eye for color.

  7. Trained to the highest degree of physical efficiency: a fine racehorse.

  8. Characterized by refinement or elegance.

  9. Satisfactory; acceptable: Handing in your paper on Monday is fine.

  10. Being in a state of satisfactory health; quite well: I'm fine. And you?

  11. Used as an intensive: a fine mess.

adv.  
  1. Finely.

  2. Informal Very well: doing fine.

tr. & intr.v.   fined, fin·ing, fines
To make or become finer, purer, or cleaner.

[Middle English fin, from Old French, from Latin fīnis, end, supreme degree.]
fine'ness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Financial Dictionary

fineness

A measure of the purity of a precious metal. Fineness is quoted in parts per thousand, with 1,000 fine being equivalent to 24-karat gold and 583.3 fine being equivalent to 14-karat gold.

Wall Street Words: An A to Z Guide to Investment Terms by David L. Scott.
Copyright © 2003. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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