arts n.pl. Poetry, music, and the visual arts, esp. Painting, sculpture, and architecture.

- —adj. - a of high quality; excellent (fine painting). B good, satisfactory (that will be fine).

- a pure, refined. B (of gold or silver) containing a specified proportion of pure metal.

- imposing, dignified (fine buildings).

- in good health (i'm fine).

- (of weather etc.) Bright and clear.

- a thin; sharp. B in small particles. C worked in slender thread.

- euphemistic; flattering (fine words).

- ornate, showy.

- fastidious, affectedly refined. —adv. - finely.

- colloq. Very well (suits me fine). —v. (-ning) 1 (often foll. By away, down, off) make or become finer, thinner, more tapering, or less coarse.

- (often foll. By down) make or become clear (esp. Of beer etc.). not to put too fine a point on it to speak bluntly. finely adv. Fineness n. [french fin from latin finio *finish]

- —n. Money to be paid as a penalty. —v. (-ning) punish by a fine (fined him £5). in fine in short. [french fin settlement of a dispute, from latin finis end]