Main Entry:

re·fine

Pronunciation:

\ri-ˈfīn\

Function:

verb

Inflected Form(s):

re·fined; re·fin·ing

Date:

1582

transitive verb 1 : to free (as metal, sugar, or oil) from impurities or unwanted material 2 : to free from moral imperfection : elevate 3 : to improve or perfect by pruning or polishing <refine a poetic style> 4 : to reduce in vigor or intensity 5 : to free from what is coarse, vulgar, or uncouth intransitive verb 1 : to become pure or perfected 2 : to make improvement by introducing subtleties or distinctions

— re·fin·er noun