Refining

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  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.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              I will bring the third part through the fire, and
              will refine them as silver is refined. --Zech. xiii.
                                                    9.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     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.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Love refines
              The thoughts, and heart enlarges.     --Milton.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Syn: To purify; clarify; polish; ennoble.
          [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  refining
       n : the process of removing impurities (as from oil or metals or
           sugar etc.) [syn: {refinement}, {purification}]