finesse(fin ES) n. 1. the ability to handle delicate situations with skill; 2. cun-
ning; artfulness; craftiness —vt.1. to bypass or evade an issue; 2. to manage or deal
with using finesse
- Walter handled the customer’s complaint with finesse.
- Martha tried to finesseher way around the requirement that she had to
have a driving permit before she could get her license. - It is a common play in a game of bridge for a player to finessea lower value
card past an opponent without losing it.
[-d, finessing]
fission(FISH in) n. a splitting apart; division into two or more parts - Some cells reproduce asexually by binary fission.
•A fissionof the nucleus of an atom releases considerable energy and is the
principle on which the atomic bomb was based.
[-able adj.]
fissure(FISH yer) n. 1. a long, narrow, deep crack; 2. a dividing or breaking into
parts - Fissuresin mountains have been responsible for swallowing up more than
one climber. - Glaciers usually fracture along fissures,causing huge icebergs to break off.
[Syn. crack]
fixate(FIX ayt) vt., vi. 1. to focus (the eyes) on an object; 2. to form a persistent
attachment to some person or object - Someone who cannot fixateon an object that is distant is said to be
myopic, or nearsighted. - When one person fixates on another person so that the attachment
becomes excessive, it is time for a psychological expert to be brought in for
assistance.
[-d, fixating]
flag(FLAG) vi.1. to become limp; droop; 2. to lose energy; wane; grow weak or
tired - When a flower does not get enough water, it tends to flagbut perks up
again if watered in time. - After two hours watching the races, Ida’s interest began to flag.
[-ged, -ging]
flaw(FLAW) n. 1. a blemish or defect that spoils something’s appearance;
- a defect, fault, or error —vi., vt.to make faulty
- The dents in the fender were flawsin the automobile’s appearance.
- A diamond that does not contain a flawis a very rare (read that expensive)
thing. - Rubbed off patches of gold finish flawedthe watchband’s appearance.
[-ed, -ing] [Syn. defect]
284 Essential Vocabulary