[re.fine] vb re.fined ; re.fin.ing vt (1582) 1: to free (as metal, sugar, or oil) from impurities or unwanted material
2: to free from moral imperfection: elevate
3: to improve or perfect by pruning or polishing "~ a poetic style"
4: to reduce in vigor or intensity
5: to free from what is coarse, vulgar, or uncouth ~ vi 1: to become pure or perfected
2: to make improvement by introducing subtleties or distinctions -- re.fin.er n