Main Entry: ¹sub·li·mate

Pronunciation: \ˈsə-blə-ˌmāt\

Function: transitive verb

Inflected Form(s): sub·li·mat·ed; sub·li·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 \ˌsə-blə-ˈmā-shən\ noun