REFI'NEMENT, n. 1. The act of purifying by separating from a substance all extraneous matter; a clearing from dross, dregs or recrement; as the refinement of metals or liquors.2. The state of being pure.The more bodies are of a kin to spirit in subtilty and refinement, the more diffusive are they.3. Polish of language; elegance; purity.From the civil war to this time, I doubt whether the corruptions in our language have not equaled its refinements.4. Polish of manners; elegance; nice observance of the civilities of social intercourse and of graceful decorum. Refinement of manners is often found in persons of corrupt morals.5. Purity of taste; nice perception of beauty and propriety in literature and the arts.6. Purity of mind and morals; nice perception and observance of rectitude in moral principles and practice.7. Purity of heart; the state of the heart purified from sensual and evil affections. This refinement is the effect of christian principles.8. Artificial practice; subtilty; as the refinements of cunning.9. Affectation of nicety, or of elegant improvement; as the refinements of reasoning or philosophy.
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