Crossword Genius

French city fourth years visit with excessive refinement (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

nicety

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'excessive refinement' is the definition.
'nicety' can be an answer for 'refinement' (synonyms). I'm not certain of the 'excessive' bit.

'french city fourth years visit' is the wordplay.
'french city' becomes 'Nice' (Nice is a French city).
'fourth years visit' becomes 'ty' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'nice'+'ty'='NICETY'

'with' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for nicety that I've seen before include "Finesse" , "Fine distinction" , "Delicacy" , "Nuance - icy net (anag)" , "Degree of precision" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.
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