alembication
/əˌlɛmbɪˈkeɪʃn/noun
1The action or an act of refining something or making something purer or more perfect; distillation; the result of this.
2Over-refinement of language or ideas; excessive subtlety; an instance of this.
Origin
Early 17th century. From post-classical Latin alembication-, alembicatio from alembicus, alembicum + classical Latin -ātiō.