释义 |
re·fine I. \rə̇ˈfīn, rēˈf-\ verb (-ed/-ing/-s) Etymology: re- + fine (to refine) transitive verb 1. : to reduce to a fine, unmixed, or pure state : separate from extraneous matter : free from dross or alloy < refine silver > : free or cleanse from impurities < refine sugar > 2. a. (1) : to give a final mechanical treatment to (paper stock) so as to put in the best possible condition for the grade of paper being made (2) : to prepare (pulp screenings) for manufacture into coarse paper b. : to treat (pig iron) in the refinery furnace so as to remove the silicon and other unwanted elements c. : to manufacture (petroleum products) by distilling crude petroleum and purifying the resulting successive distillates d. : to subject (raw sugar) to a series of processes (as defecation or carbonation, filtration through bone black or activated carbon, and crystallization) to produce white sugar 3. : to free (as the mind or soul) from moral imperfection, grossness, dullness, earthiness : spiritualize, elevate < tried in sharp tribulation and refined by faith and faithful works — John Milton > 4. : to improve or perfect by pruning, polishing, or rarefying < refine a poetic style > < the imagination cannot escape from the literal but at best can only refine it — Bernard DeVoto > 5. : to attenuate or reduce in vigor, intensity, vitality by pruning, polishing, or purifying < much of the really nutritive material actually was refined out of the foods — W.H.Camp > 6. : to increase or heighten the discriminatory power of : subtilize < refine a method of analysis > < spent … years patiently refining the crude statistics of economic change — Times Literary Supplement > 7. : to free from what is coarse, vulgar, uncouth : cause to become fastidious, elegant, cultivated < sent to a finishing school to refine her taste and manners > intransitive verb 1. : to become pure or perfected : become free or freer from what is extraneous or crude or debasing 2. : to make improvement by adding or introducing subtleties or distinctions — used with on or upon < the earlier science had only refined upon the ordinary notions of ordinary people — A.N.Whitehead > II. adjective obsolete : refined |