Pronunciation: ' s ə -bl ə - ˌ m ā t
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Form: -mat · ed ; -mat · ing
Etymology: Middle English, from Medieval Latin sublimatus, past participle of sublimare
Date: 15th century
1 a : SUBLIME 1 b archaic : to improve or refine as if by subliming
2 : to divert the expression of (an instinctual desire or impulse) from its unacceptable form to one that is considered more socially or culturally acceptable
– sub · li · ma · tion \ ˌ s ə -bl ə - ' m ā -sh ə n \ noun