Search Result for "refinement": 
Wordnet 3.0

NOUN (5)

1. a highly developed state of perfection; having a flawless or impeccable quality;
- Example: "they performed with great polish"
- Example: "I admired the exquisite refinement of his prose"
- Example: "almost an inspiration which gives to all work that finish which is almost art"--Joseph Conrad
[syn: polish, refinement, culture, cultivation, finish]

2. the result of improving something;
- Example: "he described a refinement of this technique"
[syn: refinement, elaboration]

3. the process of removing impurities (as from oil or metals or sugar etc.);
[syn: refining, refinement, purification]

4. a subtle difference in meaning or opinion or attitude;
- Example: "without understanding the finer nuances you can't enjoy the humor"
- Example: "don't argue about shades of meaning"
[syn: nuance, nicety, shade, subtlety, refinement]

5. the quality of excellence in thought and manners and taste;
- Example: "a man of intellectual refinement"
- Example: "he is remembered for his generosity and civilization"
[syn: refinement, civilization, civilisation]



The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

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.
      [1913 Webster]

            The more bodies are of kin to spirit in subtilty and
            refinement, the more diffusive are they. --Norris.
      [1913 Webster]

            From the civil war to this time, I doubt whether the
            corruptions in our language have not equaled its
            refinements.                          --Swift.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. That which is refined, elaborated, or polished to excess;
      an affected subtilty; as, refinements of logic. "The
      refinements of irregular cunning." --Rogers.
      [1913 Webster]

   Syn: Purification; polish; politeness; gentility; elegance;
        cultivation; civilization.
        [1913 Webster]


WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

refinement
    n 1: a highly developed state of perfection; having a flawless
         or impeccable quality; "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"--Joseph Conrad [syn: polish, refinement,
         culture, cultivation, finish]
    2: the result of improving something; "he described a refinement
       of this technique" [syn: refinement, elaboration]
    3: the process of removing impurities (as from oil or metals or
       sugar etc.) [syn: refining, refinement, purification]
    4: a subtle difference in meaning or opinion or attitude;
       "without understanding the finer nuances you can't enjoy the
       humor"; "don't argue about shades of meaning" [syn: nuance,
       nicety, shade, subtlety, refinement]
    5: the quality of excellence in thought and manners and taste;
       "a man of intellectual refinement"; "he is remembered for his
       generosity and civilization" [syn: refinement,
       civilization, civilisation]