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.