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affinage

noun

Definition of affinage

plural -s
1 obsolete : the act or process of refining a metal
2 : the act or process of aging cheese
  • Affinage does for cheeses what great coaching does for athletes.
  • —Ari Weinzweig,  Zingerman’s Guide to Good Eating,  2003

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Origin and Etymology of affinage

French, from affiner to refine + -age

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