REFINEMENT

refinement, civilization, civilisation

(noun) the quality of excellence in thought and manners and taste; “a man of intellectual refinement”; “he is remembered for his generosity and civilization”

nuance, nicety, shade, subtlety, refinement

(noun) a subtle difference in meaning or opinion or attitude; “without understanding the finer nuances you can’t enjoy the humor”; “don’t argue about shades of meaning”

refinement, elaboration

(noun) the result of improving something; “he described a refinement of this technique”

refining, refinement, purification

(noun) the process of removing impurities (as from oil or metals or sugar etc.)

polish, refinement, culture, cultivation, finish

(noun) a highly developed state of perfection; having a flawless or impeccable quality; “they performed with great polish”; “I admired the exquisite refinement of his prose”; “almost an inspiration which gives to all work that finish which is almost art”--Joseph Conrad

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

refinement (countable and uncountable, plural refinements)

The act, or the result of refining; the removal of impurities, or a purified material

High-class style; cultivation.

A fine or subtle distinction.

Source: Wiktionary

Re*fine"ment (r*fn"ment), n. Etym: [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 Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition

REFINEMENT

Etymology

Noun

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