01 n. The act of refining, or the state of being refined; as, the refinement or metals; refinement of ideas.
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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.
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2.
That which is refined, elaborated, or polished to excess; an affected subtilty; as, refinements of logic.
Syn.
Purification; polish; politeness; gentility; elegance; cultivation; civilization.