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definitions

sublunary

[suhb-loo-ner-ee, suhb-loo-nuh-ree]
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adjective

situated beneath the moon or between the earth and the moon.
characteristic of or pertaining to the earth; terrestrial.
mundane or worldly: fleeting, sublunary pleasure.

RELATED WORDS

temporal, earthly, frail, materialistic, sensual, physical, mundane, secular, earthy, practical, terrestrial, worldly, carnal, perishable, passing, transient, ephemeral, fading, lay, mortal
Also sub·lu·nar [suhb-loo-ner] /sʌbˈlu nər/.

Origin of sublunary

1585–95; < Late Latin sublūn(āris) (see sub-, lunar) + -ary
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for sublunary

Historical Examples of sublunary

  • Providence has a hand in this, as in all other sublunary dispensations.

  • Happiness in this sublunary state can scarcely be felt, but by a comparison with misery.

    Imogen

    William Godwin

  • William Quirke has a wish to remain in this sublunary sphere.

    Ireland as It Is

    Robert John Buckley (AKA R.J.B.)

  • Prudence with them is a matter of thrill like the rest of sublunary contrivances.

    Chance

    Joseph Conrad

  • He, as I knew, was not in a state to interest himself in any sublunary matters.

    The Shadow-Line

    Joseph Conrad

British Dictionary definitions for sublunary

sublunary

adjective

situated between the moon and the earth
of or relating to the earth or world

Word Origin for sublunary

C16: via Late Latin, from Latin sub- + lūna moon
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
Word Origin and History for sublunary
adj.

1590s, from Modern Latin sublunaris, from sub- (see sub-) + lunaris (see lunar).

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper