ˌsɪv.ɪ.lɪˈzeɪ.ʃən ˌsɪv.ɪ.laɪˈzeɪ.ʃən ˌsɪv.ɪ.laɪˈzeɪ.ʃən ˌsɪv.ə.ləˈzeɪ.ʃən ˌkʌltɪˈveɪʃən ˈkʌlt͡ʃɚ ˈkʌlt͡ʃə ˈfɪnɪʃ ˈnaɪsɪti ˈnjuː.ɑːns ˈnuː.ɑːns ˈpəʊlɪʃ ˈpoʊlɪʃ ˌpjʊəɹɪfɪˈkeɪʃən ɹəˈfaɪnmənt ˈsʌt(ə)lti the quality of excellence in thought and manners and taste a man of intellectual refinement he is remembered for his generosity and civilization 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 the result of improving something he described a refinement of this technique the process of removing impurities (as from oil or metals or sugar etc.) 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