finish

a decorative texture or appearance of a surface (or the substance that gives it that appearance)

• “the boat had a metallic finish”
• “he applied a coat of a clear finish”
• “when the finish is too thin it is difficult to apply evenly”

designated event that concludes a contest (especially a race)

• “excitement grew as the finish neared”
• “my horse was several lengths behind at the finish”
• “the winner is the team with the most points at the finish”

the act of finishing

• “his best finish in a major tournament was third”
• “the speaker”

the place designated as the end (as of a race or journey)

• “a crowd assembled at the finish”
• “he was nearly exhuasted as their destination came into view”

the temporal end; the concluding time

• “the stopping point of each round was signaled by a bell”
• “the market was up at the finish”
• “they were playing better at the close of the season”

(wine tasting) the taste of a wine on the back of the tongue (as it is swallowed)

• “the wine has a nutty flavor and a pleasant finish”

event whose occurrence ends something

• “his death marked the ending of an era”
• “when these final episodes are broadcast it will be the finish of the show”

the downfall of someone (as of persons on one side of a conflict)

• “booze will be the finish of him”
• “it was a fight to the finish”

a highly developed state of perfection; having a flawless or impeccable quality

• “they performed with great polish”
• “I admired the exquisite refinement of his prose”
• “almost an inspiration which gives to all work that finish which is almost art” -Joseph Conrad

come or bring to a finish or an end

• “He finished the dishes”
• “She completed the requirements for her Master”
• “;”

finally be or do something

• “He ended up marrying his high school sweetheart”
• “he wound up being unemployed and living at home again”

have an end, in a temporal, spatial, or quantitative sense; either spatial or metaphorical

• “the bronchioles terminate in a capillary bed”
• “Your rights stop where you infringe upon the rights of other”
• “My property ends by the bushes”
• “The symphony ends in a pianissimo”

provide with a finish

• “The carpenter finished the table beautifully”

finish eating all the food on one''s plate or on the table

• “She polished off the remaining potatoes”

cause to finish a relationship with somebody

• “That finished me with Mary”