figurative. To remove the roughness of; to smooth, polish, elaborate to perfection. Also, to wear down; to bring into (a certain condition) as if…

figurative. transitive. To elevate or ennoble (a subject, style, diction). Now rare.

transitive. To polish or purify (a language, composition, etc.); to render in a more cultured or elegant aesthetic style. Obsolete.

To render smooth to the ear; to polish.