refine

Definitions

1. 1transitive verb

   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.

2. 2transitive verb

   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.

3. 3intransitive verb

   To become pure; to be cleared of feculent matter.

4. 4intransitive verb

   To improve in accuracy, delicacy, or excellence.

5. 5intransitive verb

   To affect nicety or subtilty in thought or language.

6. 6verb

   make more complex, intricate, or richer

   "refine a design or pattern"

   Synonyms

   complicateelaboraterarify
7. 7verb

   make more precise or increase the discriminatory powers of

   "refine a method of analysis"

   "refine the constant in the equation"

8. 8verb

   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"

9. 9verb

   improve or perfect by pruning or polishing

   "refine one's style of writing"

   Synonyms

   downpolish
10. 10verb

    reduce to a fine, unmixed, or pure state; separate from extraneous matter or cleanse from impurities

    "refine sugar"

    Synonyms

    rectify
11. 11verb

    treat or prepare so as to put in a usable condition

    "refine paper stock"

    "refine pig iron"