refinement
|re/fine/ment|
B2
/rɪˈfaɪnmənt/
(refine)
purified elegance
Etymology
Etymology Information
'refinement' originates from the French word 'raffinement', where 'raffiner' meant 'to refine'.
Historical Evolution
'raffinement' transformed into the English word 'refinement' during the 17th century.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'to purify or make more elegant', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the process of improving something by making small changes.
The refinement of the design took several months.
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Antonyms
Noun 2
the quality of being polite and well-mannered.
Her refinement was evident in her graceful movements.
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Idioms
Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:45