finalist
[f. final a. and n. + -ist.]
1. One who believes that the end or limit has been reached.
| 1883 J. Parker Apost. Life II. 265 They were not finalists; they felt that something more might be possible. |
2. Any of the competitors that are left in for the final contest; also, a candidate in the last of a series of examinations (see final n. 2 c and d).
| 1898 Bury Times 2 Nov. 2/3 Two of the finalists,..just before the race started, publicly appealed to the Baths Committee to withdraw the objectionable clause. 1902 Westm. Gaz. 1 July 4/3 The finalists in the Gentlemen's Doubles Championships. 1906 Daily Chron. 25 May 1/7 The finalists in the Amateur Golf Championship. 1930 Daily Express 6 Sept. 2/3 Those aspidistras which seem possible finalists. 1959 Times 4 Feb. 2/3 Law Graduate or C.I.S. Finalist..preferred. 1970 Globe & Mail (Toronto) 28 Sept. 29/3 (Advt.), Blue chip Toronto based mining firm requires an accounting graduate or finalist. |