/seuh fis'ti kay"sheuhn/ , n.
1. sophisticated character, ideas, tastes, or ways as the result of education, worldly experience, etc.: the sophistication of the wealthy.
2. change from the natural character or simplicity, or the resulting condition.
3. complexity, as in design or organization.
4. impairment or debasement, as of purity or genuineness.
5. the use of sophistry; a sophism, quibble, or fallacious argument.
[ 1350-1400; ME sophistication- (s. of sophisticatio ), equiv. to sophisticat ( us ) (see SOPHISTICATE) + -ion- -ION ]