refine

English

/ɹɪˈfaɪn/

verb
Definitions
  • (transitive) To purify; reduce to a fine, unmixed, or pure state; to free from impurities.
  • (intransitive) To become pure; to be cleared of impure matter.
  • (transitive) To purify of coarseness, vulgarity, inelegance, etc.; to polish.
  • (ambitransitive) To improve in accuracy, delicacy, or excellence.
  • (transitive) To make nice or subtle.

Etymology

Prefix from English fine (pay a penalty).

Origin

English

fine

Gloss

pay a penalty

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms