a highly developed state of perfection; having a flawless or impeccable quality
<noun.state> 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
the result of improving something
<noun.event> he described a refinement of this technique
the process of removing impurities (as from oil or metals or sugar etc.)
<noun.process>
a subtle difference in meaning or opinion or attitude
<noun.communication> without understanding the finer nuances you can't enjoy the humor don't argue about shades of meaning
the quality of excellence in thought and manners and taste
<noun.attribute> a man of intellectual refinement he is remembered for his generosity and civilization
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.
The ad says: "The government cited the 4.9 liter V8 as a prime example of Cadillac's ongoing product refinement."
His carriage, for example, was a traveling display of refinement and power.
With further experience and refinement, the test may make it possible to tell whether an unborn fetus with the fragile-X defect will be severely retarded or will simply have a mild learning disability.
"A universe of elegance of refinement," said the Gazet Van Antwerpen newspaper, lauding the nature scenes, portraits of Kabuki theater actors and glimpses of geishas.
His latest effort, described in today's New England Journal of Medicine, is a refinement of that approach.
The refinement of the play became a selection process.
The music of Dutilleux is Gallic refinement at its most quintessential, hard to bring off without finely-tuned orchestral playing.
The Aug. 26 New York Times Magazine carried a splashy ad touting "Leslie Fay Women," a pitch refinement that has helped enhance the image of a line long associated with staid matrons.
Mr. Corry also will work closely with Mr. Roderick in the formulation and refinement of the strategic plan, which will serve as a guide for the corporation in the coming decade, the company said.
That refinement occurred at the Williamstown Festival in Massachusetts in July when Maltby came aboard as co-director of the show.
The Supreme Soviet on Tuesday also approved a bill that would allow individuals to own land, but sent it to committee for refinement before voting on an article-by-article basis that is expected next week.
Ramey may not be the booming, bulbous bass most often associated with the part, but he sings with well-sculpted, muscular refinement.
"The more of these I do, the more I realize there may be certain inherent problems of this operative procedure that still need some refinement," Schultz said. "I think we've made it 99 percent safe.
Any kind of refinement - technical or spiritual - is out of place here.
The H-1, for example, is a refinement of rocket technology from McDonnell Douglas.
It is all very pleasant and easy on the ear with a refinement and discipline which some of Holloway's recent music has lacked.
"This is a further refinement of the organization moving forward.