subtilize

The former, which had long been his delight, he had contrived to subtilize into an almost unintelligible mysticism; and in this form it speedily spread its infection through his new faith, which was besides further metamorphosed and changed in character by an infusion from the dualistic system of Persia.

There was, therefore, no source of development, and nothing was left for the later Scholastics except to dispute as to the meaning of principles, to comment on the text of this master or of that, and to subtilize to such an extent that Scholasticism soon became a synonym for captious quibbling.

In To The Lighthouse, which Critic Daiches calls "the perfection of Virginia Woolf's art," the rhythms of time and death and change suffuse and subtilize a half-mystic seascape, a long-delayed excursion, an equally delayed resolving of family discord.

Its Office is to Subtilize the Blood by cleansing and refining it.

I grant the Muse Has often blush’d at her degenerate sons, Retain’d by sense to plead her filthy cause; To raise the low, to magnify the mean, And subtilize the gross into refined: As if to magic numbers’ powerful charm 10 ’Twas given, to make a civet of their song Obscene, and sweeten ordure to perfume.