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
Orsolya-Hungarian
Samanthasə-MAN-thə (English)English, Italian, Dutch
Euripidesyoo-RIP-i-deez (English)Ancient Greek
Farhan-Arabic, Urdu, Bengali
Genettejə-NETEnglish (Rare)
Travis['trævis]