overrefine

[ oh-ver-ri-fahyn ]

verb (used with object)

, o·ver·re·fined, o·ver·re·fin·ing.

1. to refine excessively, as with oversubtle distinctions.

overrefine

/ ˌəʊvərɪˈfaɪn /

verb

1. to refine (something) to excess
2. intr to make excessively fine distinctions

Derived Forms

• ˌoverreˈfinement, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of overrefine¹

First recorded in 1705–15; over- + refine

Example Sentences

But many people now use it to mean “effeminate” or “overrefined.”

From Literature

It is often most elaborate, artificial, overrefined—one might even say, affected.

From Project Gutenberg