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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Refine \Re*fine"\ (r?*f?n"), verb (used with an object) [imp. & p. p. {Refined} (-find"); p. pr. & vb. n. {Refining}.] [Pref. re- + fine to make fine: cf. F. raffiner.]
1. To reduce to a fine, unmixed, or pure state; to free from impurities; to free from dross or alloy; to separate from extraneous matter; to purify; to defecate; as, to refine gold or silver; to refine iron; to refine wine or sugar.
I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined. --Zech. xiii. 9.
2. To purify from what is gross, coarse, vulgar, inelegant, low, and the like; to make elegant or exellent; to polish; as, to refine the manners, the language, the style, the taste, the intellect, or the moral feelings.
Love refines The thoughts, and heart enlarges. --Milton.
Syn: To purify; clarify; polish; ennoble.
From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:
refining
noun: the process of removing impurities (as from oil or metals or sugar etc.) [syn: {refinement}, {purification}]
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Definitions retrieved from local copies of the freely distributed DICT client/server software and databases. Click here for database copyright information. - KM |