a fine Italian hand



a fine Italian hand

1. literal The refined style of penmanship that replaced Gothic script in parts of Europe starting in the 17th century. I can't understand any of the old Gothic texts we're archiving. Thank goodness for the ones written in a fine Italian hand that I can actually read!
2. figurative A skill in a distinct field. Jenna's brushstrokes are so beautiful, you wouldn't mistake her work for anyone else's. She should major in art because she truly has a fine Italian hand in that area. Alex may think he has a fine Italian hand as a spy, but I knew he planted the note because it smelled of his cologne!
See also: fine, hand

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
Jabr-Arabic
Oghenekevwe-Western African, Urhobo
Alviseahl-VEE-zeItalian
Harshada-Indian, Hindi, Marathi
SterreSTER-rəDutch
SeÁNSHAWNIrish