Re*fine"ment (r?*f?n"ment), n. [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.

 

© Webster 1913.

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