sophisticating

Verb

sophisticate (third-person singular simple present sophisticates, present participle sophisticating, simple past and past participle sophisticated)

1. (transitive) To make (something) less innocent or natural; to artificialize.
   • The party to which Mrs. Berlinton was the loadſtone, was far more attractive to the diſciples of nature, though leſs ſedulouſly ſought by thoſe whom the manners and maxims of the common world had ſophiſticated.1796, [Frances Burney], “The Rooms”, in Camilla: Or, A Picture of Youth. […], volume III, London: […] T[homas] Payne, […]; and T[homas] Cadell Jun. and W[illiam] Davies (successors to Mr. [Thomas]...

   Synonyms:

   denaturalize, denature

2. (transitive) To make (something) more sophisticated (“complex, developed, or refined”); to develop, to refine.

   Synonyms:

   complicate, enhance, hone, improve, optimize, perfect, polish

3. (also, reflexive, transitive) To make (oneself or someone) more sophisticated (“experienced in the ways of the world, that is, cosmopolitan or worldly-wise”); to cosmopolitanize.

   Synonyms:

   broaden someone's horizons, deparochialize

4. (also, figuratively, transitive) To alter and make impure (something) by mixing it with some foreign or inferior substance, especially with an intention to deceive; to adulterate; (generally) to corrupt or deceive (someone, their thinking, etc.).
   • How be it, it were harde to construe this lecture;
     Sophisticatid craftely is many a confecture; […]1523, John Skelton, “A Ryght Delectable Tratyse vpon a Goodly Garlande or Chapelet of Laurell, […]”, in Alexander Dyce, editor, The Poetical Works of John Skelton: […], volume I, London: Thomas Rodd...

   Synonyms:

   abase, bastardize, dash, seduce, subvert, adulter, adulterate, adulterize, alloy, balderdash

5. (transitive) To change the meaning of (something) in a deceptive or misleading way.
   • The heavy hand of the high Thunderer
     Shall light on thee; and thou I doubt ſhalt be
     His Furies object, and ſhalt teſtifie
     By thine infamous lifes accurſed ſtate,
     VVhat now thy ſhame-leſs lips ſophiſticate.1608, [Guillaume de Salluste] Du Bartas, “[Du Bartas His Second Weeke, […]. Noah. […].] The Arke. The I. Part of the II. Day of the II. Week.”, in Josuah Sylvester, transl., Du Bartas His Deuine...

   Synonyms:

   distort, pervert, skew, twist

6. (archaic, transitive) To apply an artificial technique to (something).
   • [T]hey ſit in ſome ſun-ſhining place in a chamber or ſome other ſecret roome, where hauing a looking-glaſſe before them they ſophiſticate and dye their haire with the foreſaid drugs, […]1611, Thomas Coryate [i.e., Thomas Coryat], “My Obseruations of the Most Glorious, Peerelesse, and Mayden Citie of Venice: […]”, in Coryats Crudities Hastily Gobled Vp in Five Moneths Trauells […]...

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