sublimate

[ verb suhb-luh-meyt; noun, adjective suhb-luh-mit, -meyt ]

/ verb ˈsʌb ləˌmeɪt; noun, adjective ˈsʌb lə mɪt, -ˌmeɪt /

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verb (used with object), sub·li·mat·ed, sub·li·mat·ing.

Psychology. to divert the energy of (a sexual or other biological impulse) from its immediate goal to one of a more acceptable social, moral, or aesthetic nature or use.

Chemistry.

to sublime (a solid substance); extract by this process.
to refine or purify (a substance).

to make nobler or purer: To read about great men sublimates ambition.

verb (used without object), sub·li·mat·ed, sub·li·mat·ing.

to become sublimated; undergo sublimation.

noun

Chemistry. the crystals, deposit, or material obtained when a substance is sublimated.

adjective

purified or exalted; sublimated.

Nearby words

sublethal, subleukemic leukemia, sublicense, sublicensee, sublieutenant, sublimate, sublimation, sublime, sublime porte, subliminal, subliminal advertising

Origin of sublimate

1425–75; late Middle English: exalted, sublimated < Latin sublīmātus (past participle of sublīmāre to elevate), equivalent to sublīm(is) sublime + -ātus -ate¹

Related forms

sub·li·ma·ble

[suhb-luh-muh-buh l] /ˈsʌb lə mə bəl/, adjectivesub·li·ma·ble·ness, nounsub·li·ma·tion, nounde·sub·li·mate, verb (used with object), de·sub·li·mat·ed, de·sub·li·mat·ing.

re·sub·li·mate, verb (used with object), re·sub·li·mat·ed, re·sub·li·mat·ing.su·per·sub·li·mat·ed, adjectiveun·sub·li·mat·ed, adjective

Can be confused

sublimate sublime

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for sublimate

Also to ascertain whether a substance under examination will sublimate volatile matter of a certain appearance.
A System of Instruction in the Practical Use of the Blowpipe|Anonymous
A grain of the sublimate in a pint or more of water, with a drachm of table-salt, will be found both mild and efficient.
A System of Practical Medicine by American Authors, Vol. I|Various
Or if the sublimate be dissipated by the flame of oxidation, it gives a green color.
A System of Instruction in the Practical Use of the Blowpipe|Anonymous
We say that "knocking" is a sign of the "sorehead" and we sublimate criticism by saying that "every knock is a boost."
A Preface to Politics|Walter Lippmann

It is, in fact, the rich yellow of this sublimate which has led artists to adopt it as one of their most valued pigments.
A System of Instruction in the Practical Use of the Blowpipe|Anonymous

British Dictionary definitions for sublimate

sublimate

/ (ˈsʌblɪˌmeɪt) /

verb

psychol to direct the energy of (a primitive impulse, esp a sexual one) into activities that are considered to be socially more acceptable

(tr) to make purer; refine

noun

chem the material obtained when a substance is sublimed

adjective

exalted or purified

Derived Forms

sublimable (ˈsʌbləməbəl), adjective

Word Origin for sublimate

C16: from Latin sublīmāre to elevate, from sublīmis lofty; see sublime

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medicine definitions for sublimate

sublimate

[ sŭb′lə-māt′ ]

v.

To transform directly from the solid to the gaseous state or from the gaseous to the solid state without becoming a liquid.

To modify the natural expression of an instinctual impulse, especially a sexual one, in a socially acceptable manner.

sublimate

verb (used with object), sub·li·mat·ed, sub·li·mat·ing.

verb (used without object), sub·li·mat·ed, sub·li·mat·ing.

noun

adjective

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RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of sublimate

Related forms

Can be confused

Examples from the Web for sublimate

British Dictionary definitions for sublimate

sublimate

verb

noun

adjective

Derived Forms

Word Origin for sublimate

Medicine definitions for sublimate

sublimate

v.