refinement

noun

1. 1

   the quality of excellence in thought and manners and taste

   a man of intellectual refinement

   he is remembered for his generosity and civilization

2. 2

   a subtle difference in meaning or opinion or attitude

   without understanding the finer nuances you can't enjoy the humor

   don't argue about shades of meaning

3. 3

   the result of improving something

   he described a refinement of this technique

4. 4

   the process of removing impurities (as from oil or metals or sugar etc.)

5. 5

   a highly developed state of perfection; having a flawless or impeccable quality

   they performed with great polish

   I admired the exquisite refinement of his prose