1 refine too much.
2 make too subtle distinctions in (an argument etc.).
* * *
verb
refine too much or with excess of subtlety
-
He is overrefining this matter
• Syn: ↑over-refine
• Derivationally related forms: ↑overrefinement
• Verb Frames:
-
Somebody ——s something
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Something ——s something
* * *
\\| ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷\ transitive verb : to refine to excess
* * *
/oh'veuhr ri fuyn"/, v.t., overrefined, overrefining.
to refine excessively, as with oversubtle distinctions.
[1705-15; OVER- + REFINE]
Useful english dictionary. 2012.