n.
Pronunciation: s ə - ˌ fis-t ə - ' k ā -sh ə n
Function: noun
Date: 15th century
1 a : the use of sophistry : sophistic reasoning b : SOPHISM , QUIBBLE
2 : the process or result of becoming cultured, knowledgeable, or disillusioned especially : CULTIVATION , URBANITY
3 : the process or result of becoming more complex, developed, or subtle