over-refinement

Thus Huxter, whose affable manners and social turn made him quickly intimate with persons in whose society he fell, and whose over-refinement did not lead them to repulse the familiarities of this young gentleman, became pretty soon intimate in

The History of Pendennis 2006

The failing of most periodicals, however, is not over-refinement but coarseness and profanity.

Periodical Indigestion 1997

These examples appear amply sufficient to defend King James from any imputation of over-refinement or effeminacy in the cultivation of an art which was the favourite amusement of such monarchs as Henry IV. and his illustrious son.

The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction Volume 20, No. 570, October 13, 1832 Various

This condition of things is exemplified in _Beowulf_; and the Sagas also, here and there, show signs of over-refinement and exhaustion.

Epic and Romance Essays on Medieval Literature W. P. Ker

I think that, in general acceptance, over-refinement indicates decadence.

The Book of the Damned Charles Fort

Is there not, with such a group and in such a crisis, infinitely more danger to be apprehended from half-trained minds and shallow thinking than from over-education and over-refinement?

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, 1995, Memorial Issue Various

There is much to be feared from over-refinement, or, rather, superficial cultivation, which breeds selfishness, vitiates strength, encourages false pride, enervates the whole life of a girl.

Hold Up Your Heads, Girls! : Helps for Girls, in School and Out Annie H Ryder

This is the most elaborate and far-reaching library classification yet put forth, claiming superior clearness, flexibility, brevity of notation, logical coördination, etc., while objections have been freely made to it on the score of over-refinement and aiming at the unattainable.

A Book for All Readers An Aid to the Collection, Use, and Preservation of Books and the Formation of Public and Private Libraries Ainsworth Rand Spofford

When American inventions were brought to England they were generally improved to the highest degree, but he thought the chief fault of both American and Continental engineers was what one might call "over-refinement;" there was such a thing as over-finishing an object and overdoing it.

Scientific American Supplement, No. 832, December 12, 1891 Various

Mrs. DABCHICK could not be accused by her best friends of over-refinement, but everybody agreed that she was just the homely, comfortable, housewifely person who would always make DABCHICK happy, and be a good and careful mother to his children.

Punch, Or The London Charivari, Volume 101, July 11, 1891 Various