re·fine/rɪ`faɪn; rɪˈfaɪn/ v [T] 1 to use an industrial process to make a natural substance more pure 提炼，精炼〔自然物质〕: The sugar is refined and then shipped abroad. 糖被精炼后用船运到国外。 2 to improve a method, plan, system etc by making small changes to it 对〔方法、计划、系统等〕作细微改进