fineness

Fine"ness, n. Etym: [From Fine, a.] 1. The quality or condition of being fine. 2. Freedom from foreign matter or alloy; clearness; purity; as, the fineness of liquor. The fineness of the gold, and chargeful fashion. Shak. 3. The proportion of pure silver or gold in jewelry, bullion, or coins. Note: The fineness of United States coin is nine tenths, that of English gold coin is eleven twelfths, and that of English silver coin is 4. Keenness or sharpness; as, the fineness of a needle's point, or of the edge of a blade.

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