Refinement
Pronunciation : Re*fine"ment (r*fn"ment)
Part of Speech : n.
Etymology : [Cf. F. raffinement.]
Definition : 1. The act of refining, or the state of being refined; as, the refinement or metals; refinement of ideas. The more bodies are of kin to spirit in subtilty and refinement, the more diffusive are they. Norris. From the civil war to this time, I doubt whether the corruptions in our language have not equaled its refinements. Swift.
2. That which is refined, elaborated, or polished to excess; an affected subtilty; as, refinements of logic. "The refinements of irregular cunning." Rogers.
Syn. -- Purification; polish; politeness; gentility; elegance; cultivation; civilization.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913