1. (

• polish ,
• refinement ,
• culture ,
• cultivation ,
• finish

) a highly developed state of perfection; having a flawless or impeccable quality; "they performed with great polish"; "I admired the exquisite refinement of his prose"; "almost an inspiration which gives to all work that finish which is almost art";

2. (

• refinement ,
• elaboration

) the result of improving something; "he described a refinement of this technique" ;

3. (

• refining ,
• refinement ,
• purification

) the process of removing impurities (as from oil or metals or sugar etc.) ;

4. (

• nuance ,
• nicety ,
• shade ,
• subtlety ,
• refinement

) a subtle difference in meaning or opinion or attitude; "without understanding the finer nuances you can't enjoy the humor"; "don't argue about shades of meaning" ;

5. (

• refinement ,
• civilization ,
• civilisation

) the quality of excellence in thought and manners and taste; "a man of intellectual refinement"; "he is remembered for his generosity and civilization" ;