Emily Dickinson Lexicon

FINE, n. [This word is the basis of financé; but I have not found it, in its simple form, in any modern language, except the English. Junius says that ffin, in Cimbric, is a mulct, and ffinio, to fine. The word seems to be the L. finis, and the application of it to pecuniary compensation seems to have proceeded from its feudal use, in the transfer of lands, in which a final agreement or concord was made between the lord and his vassal. See פנה fanah. Class Bn, No. 23.]

1. In a feudal sense, a final agreement between persons concerning lands or rents, or between the lord and his vassal, prescribing the conditions on which the latter should hold his lands. Spelman.
2. A sum of money paid to the lord by his tenant, for permission to alienate or transfer his lands to another. This in England was exacted only from the king's tenants in capite. Blackstone.
3. A sum of money paid to the king or state by way of penalty for an offense; a mulet; a pecuniary punishment. Fines are usually prescribed by statute, for the several violations of law; or the limit is prescribed, beyond which the judge cannot impose a fine for a particular offense. In fine. [Fr. enfin; L. in and finis.] In the end or conclusion; to conclude, to sum up all.