Other forms: refinements
A refinement is a small improvement, or polished good taste. A minor refinement, further refinements, a woman of refinement.
As an improvement it is deliberately modest — calling a change a refinement says the design was already right. As a personal quality it means cultivated manners, and it is a rather dated compliment. In industry, refinement is removing impurities. Note refine, from the French for making fine.
1nounsmallA small improvement to something already working.
“The new version of the app includes a few refinements, like a faster search bar.”
2nounrefinementPolished good taste.
“She spoke with the quiet refinement of someone who had grown up surrounded by art and music.”
refinement is an improvement, or good taste.
From refine + -ment.
Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA