Main Entry:

¹sub·lime

Pronunciation:

\sə-ˈblīm\

Function:

verb

Inflected Form(s):

sub·limed; sub·lim·ing

Etymology:

Middle English, from Middle French sublimer, from Medieval Latin sublimare to refine, sublime, from Latin, to elevate, from sublimis

Date:

14th century

transitive verb1: to cause to pass directly from the solid to the vapor state and condense back to solid form2 [French sublimer, from Latin sublimare] a (1): to elevate or exalt especially in dignity or honor (2): to render finer (as in purity or excellence) b: to convert (something inferior) into something of higher worthintransitive verb: to pass directly from the solid to the vapor state

— sub·lim·able \-ˈblī-mə-bəl\ adjective

— sub·lim·er noun