Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Refinement \Re*fine"ment\ (r?*f?n"ment), n. [Cf. F.
   raffinement.]
   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 : WordNet®

refinement
     n 1: a highly developed state of perfection; having a flawless or
          impeccable quality; "they performed with great polish";
          "I admired the exquisite refinement of his prose";
          "almost an inspiration which gives to all work that
          finish which is almost art"--Joseph Conrad [syn: {polish},
           {culture}, {cultivation}, {finish}]
     2: the result of improving something; "he described a
        refinement of this technique" [syn: {elaboration}]
     3: the process of removing impurities (as from oil or metals or
        sugar etc.) [syn: {refining}, {purification}]
     4: a subtle difference in meaning or opinion or attitude;
        "without understanding the finer nuances you can't enjoy
        the humor"; "don't argue about shades of meaning" [syn: {nuance},
         {nicety}, {shade}, {subtlety}]
     5: the quality of excellence in thought and manners and taste;
        "a man of intellectual refinement"; "he is remembered for
        his generosity and civilization" [syn: {civilization}, {civilisation}]