The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
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.]
1. End; conclusion; termination; extinction. [Obs.] "To see
their fatal fine." --Spenser.
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Is this the fine of his fines? --Shak.
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2. 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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3. (Law)
(a) (Feudal Law) A final agreement concerning lands or
rents between persons, as the lord and his vassal.
--Spelman.
(b) (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.
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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., 4.
In fine, in conclusion; by way of termination or summing
up.
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