I. səˈblīm verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English sublimen, from Middle French sublimer, from Medieval Latin sublimare to refine, purify, sublime, from Latin, to lift up, raise, from sublimis uplifted, high
transitive verb
1.
a. : to cause to pass from the solid to the vapor state by the action of heat and again condense to solid form
many chemicals (as naphthalene, benzoic acid, and iodine) are sublimed to rid them of impurities
b. : to produce, purify, or release by heating a containing mixture
sublime pure sulfur from an unpure mixture
2.
[French sublimer, from Latin sublimare ]
a. : to elevate or exalt especially in dignity or honor : render finer (as in purity or excellence)
b. : to convert (something inferior) into something of higher esteem or worth
selfishness sublimed into care for the public welfare
3. : to cause to rise upward
the sun's hot rays sublime the morning dew
intransitive verb
1. of a chemical entity : to undergo sublimation : pass directly from the solid to the vapor state
ammonia vapor sublimes from solid crystals
2. : to become elevated or exalted (as in dignity or honor) : become finer (as in purity or excellence)
II. adjective
( -er/-est )
Etymology: Latin sublimis uplifted, high, sublime, from sub- up + -limis (from limin-, limen threshold) — more at sub- , limb
1.
a. : lofty in conception or expression : grand or exalted in thought or manner
the sublimest lines in English prose
a sublime style difficult to maintain
b. : elevated or exalted in character : of outstanding spiritual, intellectual, or moral worth
in a sublime spirit of sacrifice
sublime devotion
a sublime Christian leader
c. : tending to inspire awe or uplifting emotion usually by reason of elevated beauty, nobility, grandeur, solemnity, or similar character
the sublime beauty of that night
a sublime peace settled about us
d. : outstanding as such : very great : notable
turned out to be a sublime husband
you sublime idiot
the sublime stench in a city of evil smells — W.H.Hudson †1922
2.
a. archaic : high in place : raised to a great height : lifted up
b. obsolete : lofty of mien : haughty , proud
c.
(1) : of exalted rank or high estate
(2) usually capitalized : supreme — used in a style of address (as to former Turkish sovereigns)
3. obsolete : elevated by joy : elated
Synonyms: see splendid
III. noun
( -s )
1. : things that are sublime : the sublime aspect of anything : the quality of sublimity — usually used with the
we see little of the literary sublime in current writing
from the sublime to the ridiculous
2. : the supreme degree or utmost point : acme