Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary
re·fine·ment
\\ri-ˈfīn-mənt\\ noun DATE circa 1611
1. the action or process of refining2. the quality or state of being refined : cultivation
3.
a. a refined feature or method
b. a highly refined distinction : subtlety
c. a contrivance or device intended to improve or perfect Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary-牛津双解-OALD7
refinementre·fine·ment /
ri5fainmEnt /
noun1. [C] a small change to sth that improves it
(精细的)改进,改善
SYN enhancement
:
This particular model has a further refinement. 这一款式又有了进一步的改进。2. [C] ~ of sth a thing that is an improvement on an earlier, similar thing
改良品；经过改进的东西:
The new plan is a refinement of the six before. 新计划比原计划有改进。3. [U] the process of improving sth or of making sth pure
精炼；提炼；提纯:
the refinement of industrial techniques 工业技术的进一步提高
the refinement of uranium 铀的提炼4. [U] the quality of being polite and well educated and able to judge the quality of things; the state of having the sort of manners that are considered typical of a high social class
优雅；礼貌；有教养
SYN gentility
:
a person of considerable refinement 很有教养的人
an atmosphere of refinement 优雅的气氛 Oxford Collocations Dictionary for Students of English
Oxford Collocations dictionary for students of Englishrefinement
noun
1 improvement to/on sth; process of improving sth
ADJ. considerable, great A greater refinement of the categorization is possible. | extra, further | continuous, endless All programs have bugs and need endless refinement. | useful It is possible to add a few useful refinements to the basic system. | technical | modern
QUANT. degree
VERB + REFINEMENT need, require The technology requires a great deal of refinement. | add, introduce
PREP. ~ in a refinement in the masonry | ~ on a refinement on previous methods | ~ to to add a further refinement to the computer system
2 being polite/well educated; clever in design
ADJ. great a woman of great refinement and beauty
VERB + REFINEMENT lack The kite was star shaped and lacked the refinement of current designs.
PREP. ~ in a lack of refinement in engine design
PHRASES a lack of refinement
Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged
re·fine·ment
\rə̇ˈfīnmənt, rēˈf-\
noun
(
-s)
1. : the action or process of refining
< refinement of metals >
< refinement of torture >
< refinement of measuring techniques >2. : the quality or state of being refined
: cultivation
,
elegance
,
polish
< always comparing immigrant vitality with native refinement — M.D.Geismar >
< sniffed with exquisite refinement — Elinor Wylie >3.
a. : something that is the product or outcome of a refining process or that conduces to refining
: a refined feature or method
< pursued the delicate art of suggestion to its furthest refinements — Maurice Bowra >
b. : subtlety in reasoning
< refinements of logic >
< refinement is what characterizes our intellectualist philosophies — William James >
c. : a contrivance, device, or feature intended to improve or perfect
< introduce refinements into a machine >
< this refinement will increase the cost of the automobile > d. : a slight departure from mechanical exactness or uniformity of line intended to enhance the beauty of a building or overcome undesirable optical effects