finical (adj.)

"fastidious, affecting extreme elegance in manners, taste, or speech," 1590s; see finicky. Related: finically; finicality; finick (v.), 1857.

Entries linking to finical

finicky (adj.)

1825, "dainty, mincing," from finical "too particular" (1590s), which perhaps is from fine (adj.) + -ical as in cynical, ironical (OED says "ultimate derivation" from the adjective "seems probable"). But finikin (1660s) "dainty, precise in trifles" has been proposed as a source, even though the timing is off. It apparently comes from Dutch; compare Middle Dutch fijnkens (adv.) "precisely, exactly," from fijn, cognate with English fine (adj.).

The -k- between the final -c- and a suffix beginning in -i, -y, or -e is an orthographic rule to mark the pronunciation of -c- as "k" (compare picnicking, trafficking, panicky, shellacked). Related: Finickiness.

Share finical

‘cite’

Page URL:

https://www.etymonline.com/word/finical

HTML Link:

<a href="https://www.etymonline.com/word/finical">Etymology of finical by etymonline</a>

APA style:

Harper, D. (n.d.). Etymology of finical. Online Etymology Dictionary. Retrieved $(datetime), from https://www.etymonline.com/word/finical

Chicago style:

Harper Douglas, “Etymology of finical,” Online Etymology Dictionary, accessed $(datetime), https://www.etymonline.com/word/finical.

MLA style:

Harper, Douglas. “Etymology of finical.” Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com/word/finical. Accessed $(datetimeMla).

IEEE style:

D. Harper. “Etymology of finical.” Online Etymology Dictionary. https://www.etymonline.com/word/finical (accessed $(datetime)).

updated on November 07, 2014

Definitions of finical from WordNet

finical (adj.)

exacting especially about details;

Synonyms: finicky / fussy / particular / picky

From wordnet.princeton.edu, not affiliated with etymonline.

Dictionary entries near finical

fingerless

finger-nail

fingerprint

finger-tip

finial

finical

finicky

finis

finish

finished

finishing