refinement

Universal Words noun 1 [C] a small change to sth that improves it: This particular model has a further refinement. * all the refinements of modern technology 2 [C] ~ of sth a thing that is an improvement on an earlier, similar thing: The new plan is a refinement of the one before. 3 [U] the process of improving sth or of making sth pure: the refinement of industrial techniques * the refinement of uranium 4 [U] the quality of being polite and well educated and able to judge the quality of things; the state of having the sort of manners that are considered typical of a high social class: a person of considerable refinement * an atmosphere of refinement