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refine on

 [ri-fahyn]   Origin

re·fine

   [ri-fahyn] verb, -fined, -fin·ing.
verb (used with object)
1.
to bring to a fine or a pure state; free from impurities: to refine metal, sugar, or petroleum.
2.
to purify from what is coarse, vulgar, or debasing; make elegant or cultured.
3.
to bring to a finer state or form by purifying.
4.
to make more fine, subtle, or precise: to refine one's writing style.
verb (used without object)
5.
to become pure.
6.
to become more fine, elegant, or polished.
7.
to make fine distinctions in thought or language.

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Refine on is always a great word to know.
So is callithumpian. Does it mean:
a children's mummer's parade, as on the Fourth of July, with prizes for the best costumes.
an extraordinary or unusual thing, person, or event; an exceptional example or instance.
LEARN MORE UNUSUAL WORDS WITH WORD DYNAMO...
Verb phrase
8.
refine on/upon, to improve by inserting finer distinctions, superior elements, etc.: to refine on one's previous work.
Origin:
1575–85; re- + fine1

Related forms
re·fin·a·ble, adjective
re·fin·er, noun
pre·re·fine, verb (used with object), -fined, -fin·ing.
self-re·fin·ing, adjective
su·per·re·fine, verb (used with object), -fined, -fin·ing.
EXPAND
un·re·fin·ing, adjective
COLLAPSE
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

refine
1582, of metals, 1588 of manners, from re-, intensive prefix + obs. fine (v.) "make fine," from fine (adj.) "delicate" (q.v.). Cf. Fr. raffiner, It. raffinare, Sp. refinar. General and fig. sense is recorded from 1596; of sugar, from 1613. Refinery in various senses is first
EXPAND
recorded 1727. Refinement "act or process of refining" is from 1611; meaning "fineness of feeling" is from 1708.
COLLAPSE
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Medical Dictionary

refine re·fine (rĭ-fīn')
v. re·fined, re·fin·ing, re·fines
To reduce to a pure state; purify.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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