1. Reduce to a fine, unmixed, or pure state; separate from extraneous matter or cleanse from impurities
   "refine sugar";
   - rectify
    
2. Improve or perfect by pruning or polishing
   "refine one's style of writing";
   - polish, fine-tune, down [informal]
    
3. Make more complex, intricate, or rich
   "refine a design or pattern";
   - complicate, rarify [rare], elaborate, rarefy
    
4. Treat or prepare so as to put in a usable condition
   "refine oil"; "refine paper stock"; "refine pig iron"
    
5. Make more precise or increase the discriminatory powers of
   "refine a method of analysis"; "refine the constant in the equation"
    
6. Attenuate or reduce in vigour, strength, or intensity by polishing or purifying
   "many valuable nutrients are refined out of the foods in our modern diet"

Derived forms: refined, refining, refines

Type of: alter, ameliorate, amend, attenuate, better, change, distil [Brit], distill [N. Amer], improve, meliorate, mend, modify, process, purify, sublimate, treat

Encyclopedia: Refine