Sentence:  There is evidence to suggest , in fact , that many authors of the humorous sketches were prompted to write them - or to make them as indelicate as they are - by way of protesting against the artificial <WSD>refinements</WSD> which had come to dominate the polite letters of the South . 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  a highly developed state of perfection; having a flawless or impeccable quality