Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Finish \Fin"ish\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Finished}; p. pr. & vb.
   n. {Finishing}.] [F. finir (with a stem finiss- in several
   forms, whence E. -ish: see -ish.),fr. L. finire to limit,
   finish, end, fr. finis boundary, limit, end; perh. for
   fidnis, and akin findere to cleave, E. fissure.]
   1. To arrive at the end of; to bring to an end; to put an end
      to; to make an end of; to terminate.

            And heroically hath finished A life heroic.
                                                  --Milton.

   2. To bestow the last required labor upon; to complete; to
      bestow the utmost possible labor upon; to perfect; to
      accomplish; to polish.

   Syn: To end; terminate; close; conclude; complete;
        accomplish; perfect.

Finishing \Fin"ish*ing\, n.
   The act or process of completing or perfecting; the final
   work upon or ornamentation of a thing.

Finishing \Fin"ish*ing\, a.
   Tending to complete or to render fit for the market or for
   use.

   {Finishing coat}.
   (a) (Plastering) the final coat of plastering applied to
       walls and ceilings, usually white and rubbed smooth.
   (b) (Painting) The final coat of paint, usually differently
       mixed applied from the others.

   {Finishing press}, a machine for pressing fabrics.

   {Finishing rolls} (Iron Working), the rolls of a train which
      receive the bar from roughing rolls, and reduce it to its
      finished shape. --Raymond.

Source : WordNet®

finishing
     n 1: 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" [syn: {coating}, {finish}]
     2: the act of finishing; "his best finish in a major tournament
        was third"; "the speaker's finishing was greeted with
        applause" [syn: {finish}] [ant: {beginning}]