The Collaborative International Dictionary
Fine \Fine\ (f[imac]n), n. [OE. fin, L. finis end, also in LL., a final agreement or concord between the lord and his vassal; a sum of money paid at the end, so as to make an end of a transaction, suit, or prosecution; mulct; penalty; cf. OF. fin end, settlement, F. fin end. See Finish, and cf. Finance.]
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End; conclusion; termination; extinction. [Obs.] ``To see their fatal fine.''
--Spenser.Is this the fine of his fines?
--Shak. A sum of money paid as the settlement of a claim, or by way of terminating a matter in dispute; especially, a payment of money imposed upon a party as a punishment for an offense; a mulct.
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(Law)
(Feudal Law) A final agreement concerning lands or rents between persons, as the lord and his vassal.
--Spelman.-
(Eng. Law) A sum of money or price paid for obtaining a benefit, favor, or privilege, as for admission to a copyhold, or for obtaining or renewing a lease.
Fine for alienation (Feudal Law), a sum of money paid to the lord by a tenant whenever he had occasion to make over his land to another.
--Burrill.Fine of lands, a species of conveyance in the form of a fictitious suit compromised or terminated by the acknowledgment of the previous owner that such land was the right of the other party.
--Burrill. See Concord, n.,
In fine, in conclusion; by way of termination or summing up.