Sublime

Etymology

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

• Date: 14th century

Definitions

• 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

1. to pass directly from the solid to the vapor state

See Also

• Liminal