refine
UK/ri'fain/US
IELTSTOEFLB2
Definitions
v.
To remove impurities from a substance, such as oil, metal, or sugar.
精炼，提纯。
v.
To improve something by making small changes; to perfect.
改进，完善。
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedre- (again) + 'fine' (bring to its finest state) = 'to make fine, over and over.' Picture crude oil or raw sugar passing through filter after filter until only the pure product remains. That repeated purifying is the literal sense (refine oil). Applied to ideas or skills, the same act of polishing-out-the-impurities becomes 'improve, perfect' (refine a method).
Root fin still carries 30 more wordsCommon Collocations
- 1.refine oil精炼石油
- 2.refine a process改进流程
- 3.refine a technique完善技术
- 4.refine the model优化模型
- 5.further refine进一步完善
Example Sentences
- 1.
Crude oil is refined into petrol and diesel.
- 2.
We spent months refining the design.
- 3.
She refined her technique with daily practice.