I. rə̇ˈfīn, rēˈf- verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: re- + fine (to refine)
transitive verb
1. : to reduce to a fine, unmixed, or pure state : separate from extraneous matter : free from dross or alloy
refine silver
: free or cleanse from impurities
refine sugar
2.
a.
(1) : to give a final mechanical treatment to (paper stock) so as to put in the best possible condition for the grade of paper being made
(2) : to prepare (pulp screenings) for manufacture into coarse paper
b. : to treat (pig iron) in the refinery furnace so as to remove the silicon and other unwanted elements
c. : to manufacture (petroleum products) by distilling crude petroleum and purifying the resulting successive distillates
d. : to subject (raw sugar) to a series of processes (as defecation or carbonation, filtration through bone black or activated carbon, and crystallization) to produce white sugar
3. : to free (as the mind or soul) from moral imperfection, grossness, dullness, earthiness : spiritualize , elevate
tried in sharp tribulation and refined by faith and faithful works — John Milton
4. : to improve or perfect by pruning, polishing, or rarefying
refine a poetic style
the imagination cannot escape from the literal but at best can only refine it — Bernard DeVoto
5. : to attenuate or reduce in vigor, intensity, vitality by pruning, polishing, or purifying
much of the really nutritive material actually was refined out of the foods — W.H.Camp
6. : to increase or heighten the discriminatory power of : subtilize
refine a method of analysis
spent … years patiently refining the crude statistics of economic change — Times Literary Supplement
7. : to free from what is coarse, vulgar, uncouth : cause to become fastidious, elegant, cultivated
sent to a finishing school to refine her taste and manners
intransitive verb
1. : to become pure or perfected : become free or freer from what is extraneous or crude or debasing
2. : to make improvement by adding or introducing subtleties or distinctions — used with on or upon
the earlier science had only refined upon the ordinary notions of ordinary people — A.N.Whitehead
II. adjective
obsolete : refined