noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru'
cultivation; training; education
Refers to the systematic development of character, intellect, or skills, often in a formal or philosophical context. Used with する to mean 'to cultivate' or 'to train'.
読書は精神を陶冶するのに役立つ。
Reading helps to cultivate the mind.
彼は長年の修行で人格を陶冶した。
He cultivated his character through years of training.
noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru'
making pottery and casting metal
Original literal meaning, now rare and mostly used in historical or technical contexts. The word's figurative sense (sense 1) is far more common.
陶冶は古代文明の重要な技術だった。
Making pottery and casting metal were important techniques in ancient civilizations.