Refine

From re- + fine.

Full definition of refine

To reduce to a fine, unmixed, or pure state; to free from impurities; to free from dross or alloy; to separate from extraneous matter; to purify

2013-08-03, Yesterdayâ€™s fuel, The dawn of the oil age was fairly recent. Although the stuff was used to waterproof boats in the Middle East 6,000 years ago, extracting it in earnest began only in 1859 after an oil strike in Pennsylvania....It was used to make kerosene, the main fuel for artificial lighting after overfishing led to a shortage of whale blubber. Other liquids produced in the refining process, too unstable or smoky for lamplight, were burned or dumped.

to refine gold or silver; to refine iron; to refine wine or sugar
To purify from what is gross, coarse, vulgar, inelegant, low, and the like; to make elegant or excellent; to polish.
to refine the manners, the language, the style, the taste, the intellect, or the moral feelings
To become pure; to be cleared of feculent matter.
To improve in accuracy, delicacy, or excellence.
To affect nicety or subtlety in thought or language.