sublime

¹sub·lime

verb \sə-ˈblīm\

sub·limedsub·lim·ing

Definition of SUBLIME

transitive verb

1

: to cause to pass directly from the solid to the vapor state and condense back to solid form

2

[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 worth

intransitive verb

: to pass directly from the solid to the vapor state

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

— sub·lim·er noun

Examples of SUBLIME

1. … models indicate that frost in most of the southern hemisphere is currently subliming, thinning the surface deposits. —William B. McKinnon et al., Encyclopedia Of The Solar System, 1999
2. The cursory remarks of the large-minded stranger, of whom he knew absolutely nothing beyond a commonplace name, were sublimed by his death, and influenced Clare more than all the reasoned ethics of the philosophers. —Thomas Hardy, Tess of the D'Urbervilles, 1891

Origin of SUBLIME

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

First Known Use: 14th century