GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

Found 2 definitions 

  1.       

    Finance , n. [F., fr. LL. financia payment of money, money, fr. finare to pay a fine or subsidy (cf. OF. finer to finish, pay), fr. L. finis end. See Fine, n., Finish.]
    1. The income of a ruler or of a state; revenue; public money; sometimes, the income of an individual; often used in the plural for funds; available money; resources.
      1913 Webster
      All the finances or revenues of the imperial crown.
      Bacon.

      1913 Webster
    2. The science of raising and expending the public revenue. “Versed in the details of finance.” 
      Macaulay.

      1913 Webster
    
      
    
  2.       

    Finance , v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p. Financed ; p. pr. & vb. n. Financing.] To conduct the finances of; to provide for, and manage, the capital for; to financier.
    Securing foreign capital to finance multitudinous undertakings.
    B. H. Chamberlain.

    Webster 1913 Suppl.