sophistication
[suh-fis-ti-key-shuh n]
- sophisticated character, ideas, tastes, or ways as the result of education, worldly experience, etc.: the sophistication of the wealthy.
- change from the natural character or simplicity, or the resulting condition.
- complexity, as in design or organization.
- impairment or debasement, as of purity or genuineness.
- the use of sophistry; a sophism, quibble, or fallacious argument.
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Origin of sophistication
1350–1400; Middle English < Medieval Latin sophisticātiōn- (stem of sophisticātiō), equivalent to sophisticāt(us) (see sophisticate) + -iōn- -ion
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for sophistication
Contemporary Examples
His dresses were worn by Hollywood stars and first ladies, emanating glamour and sophistication.
This Palmer stands for elegance and sophistication: the embodiment of natural gifts, both athletic and personal.
Jazz is now a codeword for sophistication and classiness, even affluence.
And if Tocqueville is right, then Piketty is mistaken, despite the impressive scope and sophistication of his work.
The age of the airplane does not, however, determine the sophistication of the search equipment on board.
Historical Examples
But he was resolved to use his best skill to disarm her sophistication.
Within the LawMarvin Dana
With all her sophistication, Tillie was vastly ignorant of life.
KMary Roberts Rinehart
She chattered with the childish artlessness that at times veiled her sophistication.
The HighgraderWilliam MacLeod Raine
It will perhaps not do to say that it is altogether a matter of sophistication.
Her expression, her voice, her lack of sophistication, all had the limpidity of water.
The Dust FlowerBasil King
Word Origin and History for sophistication
n.
early 15c., "use of sophistry; fallacious argument intended to mislead; adulteration; an adulterated or adulterating substance," from Medieval Latin sophisticationem (nominative sophisticatio), noun of action from past participle stem of sophisticare "adulterate, cheat quibble," from Latin sophisticus "of sophists," from Greek sophistikos "of or pertaining to a sophist," from sophistes "a wise man, master, teacher" (see sophist). Meaning "wordly wisdom, refinement, discrimination" is attested from 1850.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper