Category:Refinement

Re*fine"ment (r*fn"ment), n. Etym: [cf. F. raffinement.]

1. The act of refining, or the state of being refined; as, the Refinement or metals; refinement of ideas. The more bodies are of kin to spirit in subtilty and refinement, the More diffusive are they. Norris. From the civil war to this time, i doubt whether the corruptions in Our language have not equaled its refinements. Swift.

2. That which is refined, elaborated, or polished to excess; an Affected subtilty; as, refinements of logic. "the refinements of Irregular cunning." Rogers.

Syn. -- purification; polish; politeness; gentility; elegance; Cultivation; civilization.