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… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
refine\ on — • refine on • refine upon v 1. To make better; improve. Mary was asked to refine on her first outline to make it clearer and more exact. 2. To be better than; surpass. Modern medical techniques refine on those of the past … Словарь американских идиом
refine — [ri fīn′] vt. refined, refining [ RE + FINE1, v., based on Fr raffiner, to purify] 1. to make fine or pure; free from impurities, dross, alloy, sediment, etc.; purify; clarify 2. to free from imperfection, coarseness, crudeness, etc.; make more… … English World dictionary
refine — [v1] purify clarify, cleanse, distill, filter, process, rarefy, strain; concept 165 Ant. corrupt, dirty, pollute refine [v2] perfect, polish better, civilize, clarify, cultivate, elevate, explain, hone, improve, make clear, round, sleek, slick,… … New thesaurus
Refine — Re*fine , v. i. 1. To become pure; to be cleared of feculent matter. [1913 Webster] So the pure, limpid stream, when foul with stains, Works itself clear, and, as it runs, refines. Addison. [1913 Webster] 2. To improve in accuracy, delicacy, or… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
refine — UK US /rɪˈfaɪn/ verb [T] ► PRODUCTION to improve something or to make it pure, especially by removing material that is not wanted: »Crude oil is industrially refined to purify it. ► to improve an idea, a method, a system, etc. by making small… … Financial and business terms
refine — (v.) 1580s, of metals, c.1590 of manners, from RE (Cf. re ), intensive prefix, + obsolete fine (v.) make fine, from FINE (Cf. fine) (adj.) delicate. Cf. Fr. raffiner, It. raffinare, Sp. refinar. General and figurative sense is recorded from… … Etymology dictionary
refine — ► VERB 1) remove impurities or unwanted elements from. 2) make minor changes so as to improve (a theory or method). DERIVATIVES refiner noun … English terms dictionary
refine — 01. I need to practice a lot in order to [refine] my tennis serve. 02. She shows a lot of promise as a violinist, but she needs to [refine] her technique somewhat. 03. Police raided an illegal laboratory in a house in Seattle today where they… … Grammatical examples in English
refine — refinable, adj. refiner, n. /ri fuyn /, v., refined, refining. v.t. 1. to bring to a fine or a pure state; free from impurities: to refine metal, sugar, or petroleum. 2. to purify from what is coarse, vulgar, or debasing; make elegant or cultured … Universalium
