sublimate

American  

[suhb-luh-meyt, suhb-luh-mit, -meyt] / ˈsʌb ləˌmeɪt, ˈsʌb lə mɪt, -ˌmeɪt /

verb (used with object)

sublimated, sublimating

1. 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.

2. Chemistry.

   1. to sublime (a solid substance); extract by this process.

   2. to refine or purify (a substance).

3. to make nobler or purer.

   To read about great men sublimates ambition.

---

verb (used without object)

sublimated, sublimating

1. to become sublimated; undergo sublimation.

noun

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

adjective

1. purified or exalted; sublimated.

sublimate British  

/ ˈsʌblɪˌmeɪt, ˈsʌbləməbəl /

verb

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

2. (tr) to make purer; refine

---

noun

1. chem the material obtained when a substance is sublimed

adjective

1. exalted or purified

Other Word Forms

• desublimate
  verb (used with object)
• resublimate
  verb (used with object)
• sublimable
  adjective
• sublimableness
  noun
• sublimation
  noun
• supersublimated
  adjective
• unsublimated
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of sublimate

1425–75; late Middle English: exalted, sublimated < Latin sublīmātus (past participle of sublīmāre to elevate), equivalent to sublīm ( is ) sublime + -ātus -ate ¹

Explanation

When you're at a lecture and you feel restless, you've got to sublimate the desire to move around. That means you force the desire to be more subtle so you can continue listening — even if you don't want to. Psychologists use the verb sublimate to describe the process of channeling intense energy into something useful or appropriate. Freud sublimated his desire to live at home with his mother, and he moved into his own apartment. Sublimate is related to the word sublime — both words come from the Latin word sublimare, which means "to raise up" or "to exalt." So Freud's finally getting his own place is, arguably, a superior — a more exalted — living situation.

Example Sentences

The first Experiment, with a Solution of Sublimate, made White with Spirit of Urine, &c.

From Experiments and Considerations Touching Colours (1664) by Boyle, Robert

Sublimate the dignity of that bearing and of those features, and you will then have seen the fourteenth Duke somewhat as he stood reflected in the mirror of his room.

From Zuleika Dobson, or, an Oxford love story by Beerbohm, Max, Sir

Sublimate, as you will, the idea of our ethereality as intellectual beings; no sensible man can harbor a doubt, but that there is a vast deal of satisfaction in dining.

From Mardi: and A Voyage Thither, Vol. I by Melville, Herman

Dr. Bulkley recommends this lotion:     Corrosive Sublimate 5 grains     Dilute Acetic Acid 2 drams     Borax 40 grains     Rose water enough for 4 ounces Shake bottle, mix and apply to the part night and morning.

From Mother's Remedies Over One Thousand Tried and Tested Remedies from Mothers of the United States and Canada by Ritter, Thomas Jefferson

This Sublimate being a powerful Escarotick, eats away proud Flesh, and is of singular use in cleansing old Ulcers.

From The Compleat Surgeon or, the whole Art of Surgery explain'd in a most familiar Method. by Le Clerc, Charles Gabriel

Related Words

• repress