Refinement \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.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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