Etymology : Middle English, from Middle French sublimer, from Medieval Latin sublimare to refine, sublime, from Latin, to elevate, from sublimis
Pronunciation : s&-'blIm
Function : verb
Date : 14th century
1. exalted, noble, lofty; wonderful, splendid; inspiring wonder or awe. something exalted, noble; inspiring wonder or awe. cause to be sublime, raise, lift up; sublimate, transform a solid directly into a gas or a gas directly into a solid (Chemistry). sublime\sub*lime"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. sublimed ; p. pr. & vb. n. subliming.] [cf. l. sublimare, f. sublimer to subject to sublimation. see:
sublime, a., and cf. sublimate, v. t.].
2. to raise on high. [archaic] a soul sublimed by an idea above the region of vanity and conceit. p. whipple.
3. (chem.) to subject to the process of sublimation; to heat, volatilize, and condense in crystals or powder; to distill off, and condense in solid form; hence, also, to purify.
4. to exalt; to heighten; to improve; to purify. the sun which not alone the southern wit sublimes, but ripens spirits in cold, northern climes.
5. to dignify; to ennoble. an ordinary gift can not sublime a person to a supernatural employment. taylor.sublime \sub*lime"\, n. that which is sublime; -- with the definite article; as: (a) a grand or lofty style in speaking or writing; a style that expresses lofty conceptions. the sublime rises from the nobleness of thoughts, the magnificence of words, or the harmonious and lively turn of the phrase. (b) that which is grand in nature or art, as distinguished from the merely beautiful.sublime \sub*lime"\ , a. [compar. sublimer ; superl. sublimest.] [l. sublimis; sub under + (perhaps) a word akin to limen lintel, sill, thus meaning, up to the lintel: cf. f. sublime. cf. eliminate.].
6. lifted up; high in place; exalted aloft; uplifted; lofty. sublime on these a tower of steel is reared.
7. distinguished by lofty or noble traits; eminent; -- said of persons. "the sublime julian leader.".
8. awakening or expressing the emotion of awe, adoration, veneration, heroic resolve, etc.; dignified; grand; solemn; stately; -- said of an impressive object in nature, of an action, of a discourse, of a work of art, of a spectacle, etc.; as, sublime scenery; a sublime deed. easy in words thy style, in sense sublime. know how sublime a thing it is to suffer and be strong.
9. elevated by joy; elate. [poetic] their hearts were jocund and sublime, drunk with idolatry, drunk with wine.
10. lofty of mien; haughty; proud. [poetic] "countenance sublime and insolent." his fair, large front and eye sublime declared absolute rule.
11. Lifted up; high in place; exalted aloft; uplifted; lofty.
12. Distinguished by lofty or noble traits; eminent; said of persons.
13. Awakening or expressing the emotion of awe, adoration, veneration, heroic resolve, etc.; dignified; grand; solemn; stately; said of an impressive object in nature, of an action, of a discourse, of a work of art, of a spectacle, etc.; as, sublime scenery; a sublime deed.
14. Elevated by joy; elate.
15. Lofty of mien; haughty; proud.
16. That which is sublime; with the definite article A grand or lofty style in speaking or writing; a style that expresses lofty conceptions.
17. That which is grand in nature or art, as distinguished from the merely beautiful.
18. To raise on high.
19. To subject to the process of sublimation; to heat, volatilize, and condense in crystals or powder; to distill off, and condense in solid form; hence, also, to purify.
20. To exalt; to heighten; to improve; to purify.
21. To dignify; to ennoble.
22. To pass off in vapor, with immediate condensation; specifically, to evaporate or volatilize from the solid state without apparent melting; said of those substances, like arsenic, benzoic acid, etc., which do not exhibit a liquid form on heating, except under increased pressure. vaporize and then condense right back again change or cause to change directly from a solid into a vapor without first melting; "sublime iodine"; "some salts sublime when heated" lifted up or set high; "their hearts were jocund and sublime"- Milton.
23. 1. approval If you describe something as sublime, you mean that it has a wonderful quality that affects you deeply. Sublime music floats on a scented summer breeze to the spot where you lie. You can refer to sublime things as the sublime. She elevated every rare small success to the sublime. + sublimely sub·lime·ly the most sublimely beautiful of all living things. If you describe something as going from the sublime to the ridiculous, you mean that it involves a change from something very good or serious to something silly or unimportant. At times the show veered from the sublime to the ridiculous.
24. emphasis You can use sublime to emphasize a quality that someone or something has, usually a quality that is undesirable or negative. The administration's sublime incompetence is probably temporary He displayed a sublime indifference to the distinction between right and wrong. + sublimely sub·lime·ly Mrs Trollope was sublimely uninterested in what she herself wore.