Refinement
[rɪ'faɪnm(ə)nt] or [rɪ'faɪnmənt]
Definition
(noun.) the quality of excellence in thought and manners and taste; 'a man of intellectual refinement'; 'he is remembered for his generosity and civilization'.
(noun.) the result of improving something; 'he described a refinement of this technique'.
Checked by Dale--From WordNet
Definition
(n.) The act of refining, or the state of being refined; as, the refinement or metals; refinement of ideas.
(n.) That which is refined, elaborated, or polished to excess; an affected subtilty; as, refinements of logic.
Typist: Vivienne
Synonyms and Synonymous
n. [1]. Improvement.[2]. Elegance, polish, purity, delicacy, cultivation, civility, good-breeding.[3]. Subtilty, extreme nicety.
Typed by Edmund
Synonyms and Antonyms
SYN:Clarification, purification, filtration, sublimation, polish, elegance,cultivation, civilization, subtilty, finesse, sophistry
ANT:Turbidity, grossness, foulness, coarseness, impurity, unrefinement, rudeness,inelegance, boorishness, broadness, bluntness, unsophisticatedness
Edited by Cheryl
Examples
- He was a man of such rigid refinement, that he would have starved rather than have dined without a white neckcloth. William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
- He professed both to abominate and despise all mystery, refinement, and intrigue, either in a prince or a minister. Jonathan Swift. Gulliver's Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World.
- It was evident that these self-thought supermen were far inferior to the red men of Barsoom in refinement and in chivalry. Edgar Rice Burroughs. The Gods of Mars.
- There had been a softening of manners and a general refinement since the days of Julius C?sar. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- Indeed, through this very loophole of character, the reality, depth, genuineness of that refinement may be ascertained. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- It is remarkable that her carelessness never compromises her refinement. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- The net result of this work was the general type of machine of which the well-known phonograph of today is a refinement evolved through many years of sustained experiment and improvement. Frank Lewis Dyer. Edison, His Life and Inventions.
- The tinge of unpretentious, inoffensive vulgarity in Mrs. Vincy gave more effect to Rosamond's refinement, which was beyond what Lydgate had expected. George Eliot. Middlemarch.
- Her exquisite superiority and innate refinement ought, one would think, to scare impertinence from her very idea. Charlotte Bronte. Villette.
- Subsequent improvements and developments of the Jacquard loom have carried its work to great nicety and refinement of action. Edward W. Byrn. The Progress of Invention in the Nineteenth Century.
- Whoever expects refinement in _me_ will be disappointed. Charles Dickens. Hard Times.
- To speak truth, there has been to me in this matter a refinement of enjoyment I would not make vulgar by communication. Charlotte Bronte. Villette.
- One should be sorry to see greater pride or refinement in the teacher of a school, Harriet. Jane Austen. Emma.
- Such want of liberality towards a foreigner on the part of a lady of her education and refinement surprised me. Wilkie Collins. The Woman in White.
- The gross feasting, animal indulgence, and vulgar display of the earlier days of Roman prosperity were now tempered by a certain refinement. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- I consider it as one of the first refinements of polished society. Jane Austen. Pride and Prejudice.
- Moreover, the curriculum must be planned with reference to placing essentials first, and refinements second. John Dewey. Democracy and Education.
- Ward Leonard, installed the meters and became meter man, in order that he might study in every intimate detail the improvements and refinements necessary in that branch of the industry. Frank Lewis Dyer. Edison, His Life and Inventions.
- There are numerous modern refinements which have contributed materially to the present-day popularity of the motorcycle that are worthy of special note. Various. The Wonder Book of Knowledge.
- Then you would not approve of Syracusan dinners, and the refinements of Sicilian cookery? Plato. The Republic.
- These are among the refinements of practice coincidental with the advance of the art. Frank Lewis Dyer. Edison, His Life and Inventions.
- The powerful, easy-riding machines of today with their many refinements are truly marvelous pieces of mechanism. Various. The Wonder Book of Knowledge.
- The denizens of the forest cannot, of course, expect to participate in the refinements of the land of the Free. Charles Dickens. David Copperfield.
- Though Lucy was untaught, her mother's conversation and manners gave her a taste for refinements superior to her present situation. Mary Shelley. The Last Man.
- Improved clutches, gear ratios which permit varying speeds, double-braking systems and electric lights are present-day refinements which add zest to the sport of motorcycling. Various. The Wonder Book of Knowledge.
- Expect refinements of perceptionmiracles of intuition, and realize disappointment. Charlotte Bronte. Villette.
Typed by Debora