refine

v. i. 1. To become pure; to be cleared of feculent matter. [ 1913 Webster ]

So the pure, limpid stream, when foul with stains,
Works itself clear, and, as it runs, refines. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To improve in accuracy, delicacy, or excellence. [ 1913 Webster ]

Chaucer refined on Boccace, and mended his stories. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

But let a lord once own the happy lines,
How the wit brightens! How the style refines! Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To affect nicety or subtilty in thought or language. “He makes another paragraph about our refining in controversy.” Atterbury. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Freed from impurities or alloy; purifed; polished; cultured; delicate; as; refined gold; refined language; refined sentiments. [ 1913 Webster ]

Refined wits who honored poesy with their pens. Peacham. [ 1913 Webster ]

-- Re*fin"ed*ly adv. -- Re*fin"ed*ness, n. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. raffinement. ] 1. The act of refining, or the state of being refined; as, the refinement or metals; refinement of ideas. [ 1913 Webster ]

The more bodies are of kin to spirit in subtilty and refinement, the more diffusive are they. Norris. [ 1913 Webster ]

From the civil war to this time, I doubt whether the corruptions in our language have not equaled its refinements. Swift. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. That which is refined, elaborated, or polished to excess; an affected subtilty; as, refinements of logic. “The refinements of irregular cunning.” Rogers. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Purification; polish; politeness; gentility; elegance; cultivation; civilization. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who, or that which, refines. [ 1913 Webster ]