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refining |
2 definitions found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Refine \Re*fine"\ (r?*f?n"), v. t. [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 1.6 [wn]: refining n : the process of removing impurities from oil or metals or sugar [syn: {refinement}]
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