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.