Definitions for: Refine


[v] make more complex, intricate, or richer; "refine a design or pattern"
[v] make more precise or increase the discriminatory powers of; "refine a method of analysis"; "refine the constant in the equation"
[v] attenuate or reduce in vigor, strength, or validity by polishing or purifying; "many valuable nutrients are refined out of the foods in our modern diet"
[v] improve or perfect by pruning or polishing; "refine one's style of writing"
[v] reduce to a fine, unmixed, or pure state; separate from extraneous matter or cleanse from impurities; "refine sugar"
[v] treat or prepare so as to put in a usable condition; "refine paper stock"; "refine pig iron"; "refine oil"



Webster (1913) Definition: Re*fine" (r?*f?n"), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Refined
(-find"); p. pr. & vb. n. Refining.] [Pref. re- + fine to
make fine: cf. F. raffiner.]
1. To reduce to a fine, unmixed, or pure state; to free from
impurities; to free from dross or alloy; to separate from
extraneous matter; to purify; to defecate; as, to refine
gold or silver; to refine iron; to refine wine or sugar.

I will bring the third part through the fire, and
will refine them as silver is refined. --Zech. xiii.
9.

2. To purify from what is gross, coarse, vulgar, inelegant,
low, and the like; to make elegant or exellent; to polish;
as, to refine the manners, the language, the style, the
taste, the intellect, or the moral feelings.

Love refines The thoughts, and heart enlarges.
--Milton.

Syn: To purify; clarify; polish; ennoble.


Re*fine", v. i.
1. To become pure; to be cleared of feculent matter.

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

2. To improve in accuracy, delicacy, or excellence.

Chaucer refined on Boccace, and mended his stories.
--Dryden.

But let a lord once own the happy lines, How the wit
brightens! How the style refines! --Pope.

3. To affect nicety or subtilty in thought or language. ``He
makes another paragraph about our refining in
controversy.'' --Atterbury.

Synonyms: complicate, down, elaborate, fine-tune, polish, rarify, rectify

See Also: alter, ameliorate, amend, attenuate, better, change, civilise, civilize, cultivate, develop, distill, educate, improve, involve, make pure, meliorate, process, purify, school, sophisticate, sublimate, train, treat

 Try our:
Scrabble Word Finder

Scrabble Cheat

Words With Friends Cheat

Hanging With Friends Cheat

Scramble With Friends Cheat

Ruzzle Cheat



Related Resources:
animlas that start with j
animals begin with f