refine (ref in)

[= Sp. Pg. refinar; as re+ fine2. Cf. F. raffiner (= It. raff in are ), refine, Wines on the lees well refined . Isa. xxv. 6. IMG:content-1840.png:[blocks in formation] 2. In metal., to bring into a condition of purity as complete as the nature of the ore treated will allow. Used chiefly with reference to gold and silver, especially with reference to the separation (parting) of these two metals from each other and from the baser metals with which they are combined in what are known as bullion-bars or bricks of mixed metals, as they come from the mills located at or near the mines. Refining is, in general, the last stage or stages in the metallurgical treatment of an ore. As the term refining is commonly used with reference to the manufacture of iron, it means the partial decarburization and purification of pig in the open-hearth furnace, for the purpose of rendering it more suitable for use in the puddling-furnace in which the proce of converting it into malleable iron is completed. This method of puddling is called dry puddling. The operation of converting pig in to wrought-iron in the open hearth furnace, when begun and completed without puddling, is generally called fining, and in this proce charcoal or coke is used. There are many modifications of the fining proce , but the principle is the same in all. In puddling, raw coal is used, and the fuel does not come in contact with the metal; in fining, the cre and fuel (either charcoal or coke) are together upon the same hearth. The IMG:content-1841.png:[blocks in formation] 2. To improve in accuracy, delicacy, or in anything that constitutes excellence. Chaucer has refined on Boccace, and has mended the stories which he has borrowed. Dryden , Pref. to Fables. But let a lord once own the happy lines, How the wit brightens! how the style refincs ! Pope, E ay on Criticism, 1. 421. A new generation, refining upon the le ons given by himself [Shelley] and Keats, has carried the art of rhythm to extreme variety and finish. Stedman , Vict. Poets, p. 380. 3. To exhibit nicety or subtlety in thought or language, especially exce ive nicety. You speak like good blunt soldiers; and 'tis well enough; But did you live at court, as I do, gallants, You would refine , and learn an apter language. Fletcher ( and another ), False One, iii. 2. Who, too deep for his hearers, still went on refining , And thought of convincing, while they thought of dining. Goldsmith, Retaliation, 1. 35. refined (re-find'), p . a . Purified; elevated; cultivated; subtle: as, a refined taste; a refined discrimination; refined society. There be men that be so sharp, and so over-sharpe or re fined , that it seemeth little unto them to interprete words, but also they holde it for an office to diuine thoughts. Guevara , Letters (tr. by Hellowes, 1577), p. 133. Modern taste Is so ref in'd , and delicate, and chaste. Cowper, Table-Talk, 1. 511. refinedly (re-fi'ned-li), adv. With refinement; with nicety or elegance, especially exce ive nicety. Will any dog Refinedly leave his bitches and his bones, To turn a wheel? Dryden, E ay upon Satire, 1. 135. Some have refinedly expounded that pa age in Matt. xii. Calvin , On Jonah (Calv. Trans. Soc., 1847), p. 20. refinedne (rē-fi'ned-nes), n. The state of being refined; purity; refinement; also, affected purity. Great semblances of peculiar sanctimony, integrity, scrupulosity, spirituality, refinedne . Barrow , Works, III. xv, refinement(re-fin'ment), n . [= Pg.ref in a men to ; as refine + -ment . Cf. F. raffinement = It.raffina mento .] 1. The act of refining or purifying; the act of separating from a substance all extraneous matter; purification; clarification: a's, the refinement of metals or liquors. The soul of man is capable of very high refinements , even to a condition purely angelical. Dr. H. More , Immortal. of Soul, iii. 1. 2. The state of being pure or purified. The more bodies are of a kin to spirit in subtilty and refinement , the more diffusive are they. Norris . 3. The state of being free from what is coarse, rude, inelegant, debasing, or the like; purity of taste, mind, etc.; elegance of manners or language; culture. I am apt to doubt whether the corruptions in our language have not at least equalled the refinements of it. Swift , Improving the English Tongue. This refined taste is the consequence of education and habit; we are born only with a capacity of entertaining this refinement , as we are born with a disposition to receive and obey all the rules and regulations of society. Sir J. Reynolds , Discourses, xiii. Refinement as opposed to simplicity of taste is not nece arily a mark of a good esthetic faculty. J. Sully, Outlines of Psychol., p. 544. 4. That which proceeds from refining or a desire to refine; a result of elaboration, polish, or nicety: often used to denote an over-nicety, or refinement affected subtlety: as, the refinements of logic or philosophy; the refinements of cunning. It is the Poet's Refinement upon this Thought which I Add is on, Spectator, No. 303. most admire. From the small experience I have of courts, I have ever found refinements to be the worst sort of all conjectures;. of some hundreds of facts, for the real truth of which I can account, I never yet knew any refiner to be once in the right. Swift , Change in Queen's Ministry. As used in Greece, its [the Doric column's] beauty was very much enhanced by a number of refinements whose existence was not suspected till lately, and even now cannot be detected but by the most practised eye. J. Fergu on , Hist. Arch., I. 249. 5t. Exce ive or extravagant compliment; a form of expre ion intended to impose on the hearer. I must tell you a great piece of refinement of Harley. He charged me to come to him often; I told him I was loth to trouble him in so much busine as he had, and desired I might have leave to come at his levee; which he immediately refused, and said that was not a place for friends to come to. Swift , Journal to Stella, v. =Syn. 3. Cultivation , etc. See culture . refiner (re-fi'nėr), n . 1. One who refines liquors, sugar, metals, etc. 5034 reflect (re-flekt'), v. [ Reflect I not on thy basene court-contempt? Shak ., W. T., iv. 4. 758. And dazled with this greater light, I would reflect mine eyes to that reflexion of this light. Purchas , Pilgrimage, p. 13. Let me mind the reader to reflect his eye upon other quotations. Fuller . Do you reflect that Guilt upon me? Congreve, Way of the World, ii. 3. 2. Hence, figuratively, to bend the will of; persuade. [Rare.] Such rites beseem amba adors, and Nestor urgèd these, That their most honours might reflect enraged Facides. reflection margin.-4. In her., same as reflexed, 3. - Flected and reflected. See flected. - Reflected light, in paint ing, the subdued light which falls on objects that are in shadow, and serves to bring out their forms. It is treated as reflected from some object on which the light falls directly, whether seen in the picture or supposed to influence it from without.