— sublimable /sub"leuh meuh beuhl/ , adj. — sublimableness , n. — sublimation , n. — sublimational , adj.
v. /sub"leuh mayt'/ ; n. , adj. /sub"leuh mit, -mayt'/ , v. , sublimated, sublimating , n. , adj.
v.t.
1. Psychol. to divert the energy of (a sexual or other biological impulse) from its immediate goal to one of a more acceptable social, moral, or aesthetic nature or use.
2. Chem.
a. to sublime (a solid substance); extract by this process.
b. to refine or purify (a substance).
3. to make nobler or purer: To read about great men sublimates ambition.
v.i.
4. to become sublimated; undergo sublimation.
n.
5. Chem. the crystals, deposit, or material obtained when a substance is sublimated.
adj.
6. purified or exalted; sublimated.
[ 1425-75; late ME: exalted, sublimated sublimatus (ptp. of sublimare to elevate), equiv. to sublim ( is ) SUBLIME + -atus -ATE 1 ]