/ rɪˈfaɪnmənt; NAmE / noun
1.
[ C ] a small change to sth that improves it
SYN enhancement :
This particular model has a further refinement.
2.
[ C ] refinement of sth a thing that is an improvement on an earlier, similar thing :
The new plan is a refinement of the one before.
3.
[ U ] the process of improving sth or of making sth pure :
the refinement of industrial techniques
the refinement of uranium
4.
[ U ] the quality of being polite and well educated and able to judge the quality of things; the state of having the sort of manners that are considered typical of a high social class
SYN gentility :
a person of considerable refinement
an atmosphere of refinement
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WORD ORIGIN
early 17th cent.: from refine + -ment , influenced by French raffinement .