释义 |
fine·ness \ˈfīnnə̇s\ noun (-es) Etymology: Middle English finenesse, from fin, fine + -nesse -ness 1. : exquisite perfection or elaborateness of form, texture, or construction : superior quality < this material surpasses all others in fineness > 2. a. : freedom from foreign matter or alloy : clearness, purity < the fineness of the gold > b. : the proportion of pure silver or gold in jewelry, bullion, or coins often expressed in parts per thousand and being in United States silver coin 9/10 or .900 fine and in English gold coin 11/12 or .9166 fine — compare karat 3. a. (1) : brave or striking appearance : elegance, delicacy < he was struck by the ease, the poise, the fineness of every motion — S.H.Adams > < the fineness, the perfection, the chiseled quality of her features > (2) : sensitivity or delicacy of touch or manipulation < the pianist's notable fineness of rendition > < the fineness of the surgeon's technique > b. : subtlety, sensitivity, acuity < not in the name of some high-flown fineness of feeling but in the name of simple social practicality — Lionel Trilling > < this does not mean that there is no fineness of discrimination in his handling of its themes — T.W.Beach > 4. : the condition or degree of slenderness, thinness, or sharpness < the fineness of wire > < the fineness of a knife's edge determines its cutting power > 5. a. : the condition of being finely divided : the condition of being finely composed (as of particles, threads, or fibers) < marveled at the fineness of the sand > b. : the extent of subdivision of a substance as indicated under prescribed conditions (as of cement, sand, gravel, or pigments) c. : the relative width, diameter, linear density, or weight per unit length (as of fibers or yarns) expressed in a number of units |