v.
- bring or come to an end.
▸consume or get through the whole or the remainder of (food or drink).
▸reach the end of a race or other sporting competition.
▸
(finish up)
chiefly Brit. end by doing something or being in a particular position.
▸
(finish someone off)
kill or comprehensively defeat someone.
-
(finish with)
have no more need for.
▸Brit. end a relationship with.
- complete the manufacture or decoration of (something) by giving it an attractive surface appearance.
▸complete the fattening of (livestock) before slaughter.
- dated prepare (a girl) for entry into fashionable society.
n.
- an end or final stage.
▸the place at which a race or competition ends.
- the manner in which a manufactured article is finished.
▸the surface appearance of a manufactured article.
▸the final taste impression of a wine or beer.
Phrase
- to the finish
until the complete defeat of one of the participants.
Etymology
ME: from OFr. feniss-, lengthened stem of fenir, from L. finire, from finis ‘end’.