refine in WordNet English dictionary

1. make more complex, intricate, or richer
   "refine a design or pattern"
   complicate  refine  rarify  elaborate 
   
2. improve or perfect by pruning or polishing
   "refine one's style of writing"
   polish  refine  fine-tune  down 
   
3. reduce to a fine, unmixed, or pure state; separate from extraneous matter or cleanse from impurities
   "refine sugar"
   refine  rectify 
   
4. treat or prepare so as to put in a usable condition
   "refine paper stock"; "refine pig iron"; "refine oil"
   refine 
   
5. attenuate or reduce in vigor, strength, or validity by polishing or purifying
   "many valuable nutrients are refined out of the foods in our modern diet"
   refine 
   
6. make more precise or increase the discriminatory powers of
   "refine a method of analysis"; "refine the constant in the equation"
   refine