sublime

[suh-blahym]

adjective

1. elevated or lofty in thought, language, etc.: Paradise Lost is sublime poetry.

   Synonyms: noble, exalted

2. impressing the mind with a sense of grandeur or power; inspiring awe, veneration, etc..

   Switzerland has sublime scenery.

   Synonyms: majestic, imposing, resplendent, gorgeous, grand, august, superb, magnificent

3. supreme or outstanding.

   a sublime dinner.

4. complete; absolute; utter.

   sublime stupidity.

5. Archaic.

   1. of lofty bearing.

   2. haughty.

6. Archaic.,  raised high; high up.

noun

1. the sublime,

   1. the realm of things that are sublime.

      the sublime in art.

   2. the quality of being sublime.

      the sublime of nature.

   3. the greatest or supreme degree.

verb (used with object)

sublimed, subliming 

1. to make higher, nobler, or purer.

2. Chemistry.

   1. to convert (a solid substance) by heat into a vapor, which on cooling condenses again to solid form, without apparent liquefaction.

   2. to cause to be given off by this or some analogous process.

verb (used without object)

sublimed, subliming 

1. Chemistry.,  to volatilize from the solid state to a gas, and then condense again as a solid without passing through the liquid state.

sublime

/ səˈblaɪm, səˈblɪmɪtɪ /

adjective

1. of high moral, aesthetic, intellectual, or spiritual value; noble; exalted

2. inspiring deep veneration, awe, or uplifting emotion because of its beauty, nobility, grandeur, or immensity

3. unparalleled; supreme

   a sublime compliment

4. poetic,  of proud bearing or aspect

5. archaic,  raised up

noun

1. something that is sublime

2. the ultimate degree or perfect example

   the sublime of folly

verb

1. (tr) to make higher or purer

2. to change or cause to change directly from a solid to a vapour or gas without first melting

   to sublime iodine

   many mercury salts sublime when heated

3. to undergo or cause to undergo this process followed by a reverse change directly from a vapour to a solid

   to sublime iodine onto glass

Other Word Forms

• sublimely adverb
• sublimeness noun
• sublimer noun
• unsublimed adjective
• sublimity noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of sublime¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; (for the noun and adjective) from Latin sublīmis “high,” equivalent to sub- sub- + an element of uncertain origin, variously identified with līmen “lintel, threshold” or līmus “askew, aslant”; (for the verb) ultimately derivative of sublīmis

Word History and Origins

Origin of sublime¹

C14: from Latin sublīmis lofty, perhaps from sub- up to + līmen lintel

Example Sentences

For the truly devoted — those who prefer their horror so bad it becomes sublime — Peterson recommends one particular classic.”

Read more on Salon

My quest, to see what threads remained between Edinburgh and her masterpiece, would lead me to a sublime restaurant housed in a 19th-century warehouse and a pub built around an animatronic monster.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

But it turns out this sort of sublime absurdity is becoming the norm this NFL season.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The skipper was gritty, the opener was sublime, treating the crowd to exquisite late cuts and effortless drives through the covers - a century felt inevitable.

Read more on BBC

Former special counsel Jack Smith took to a London stage last week to provide a sublime if unwitting lesson in the two styles of lawfare now on display in our beleaguered justice system.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• abstract 
• divine 
• exalted 
• glorious 
• gorgeous 
• heavenly 
• superb 
• transcendent