finesse

The definition of finesse is skillful, artful or diplomatic handling of something that might be difficult for others.

(noun)

An example of finesse is what you exhibit when you carefully arrange a situation to your liking.

To finesse is defined as to do something skillfully or slyly, especially something that requires delicacy.

(verb)

An example of finesse is when you diplomatically arrange a complicated situation so it turns out in your favor.

See finesse in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

adroitness and delicacy of performance
the ability to handle delicate and difficult situations skillfully and diplomatically
cunning; skill; artfulness; craft
Bridge an attempt to take a trick with a lower card while holding a higher card not in sequence with it, made in the hope that the intervening card is in the hand of the opponent who has already played

Origin: Fr < OFr fin, fine

transitive verb finessed, finessing

to manage, bring about, or deal with by finesse: sometimes with into
to evade or bypass (a problem, issue, etc.)
Bridge
1. to make a finesse with (a specified card)
2. to play a card lower than (the specified intervening card) in making a finesse

intransitive verb

to use or make a finesse

See finesse in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

Refinement and delicacy of performance, execution, or artisanship.
Skillful, subtle handling of a situation; tactful, diplomatic maneuvering.
A method of leading up to a tenace, as in bridge, in order to prevent an opponent from winning the trick with an intermediate card.
A stratagem in which one appears to decline an advantage.

verb fi·nessed, fi·ness·ing, fi·ness·es

verb, transitive