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.
© Webster 1913.