Where does “fine” come from?
Fine comes from Italian fine, from Latin finis, from Proto-Indo-European dʰeygʷ-, a root meaning to knead or form.
fine (English): Senses referring to subjective quality; Senses...
Definitions
- Senses referring to subjective quality; Senses...
Ancestry of “fine”, step by step
fine traces back through 3 separate lines of ancestry.
via German fein
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | German | fein | fine; fine; very good; as it should be; refined;... |
| 2 | Middle High German | fīn | — |
| 3 | Old French | fin | fine, delicate |
| 4 | Latin | fīnis | end |
| 5 | Proto-Indo-European | dʰnh₂- | — |
via Middle English fyn
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middle English | fyn | A fin appendage of a fish or similar organ |
| 2 | Old English | Finn | Sami |
| 3 | Proto-Germanic | finnō | flipper; fin |
| 4 | Proto-Indo-European | (s)pīn- | backbone, dorsal fin; backbone; dorsal fin |
via Italian fine
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Italian | fine | thin; fine; refined |