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definitions

sublunary

[suhb-loo-ner-ee, suhb-loo-nuh-ree]
See more synonyms for sublunary on Thesaurus.com
adjective
  1. situated beneath the moon or between the earth and the moon.
  2. characteristic of or pertaining to the earth; terrestrial.
  3. mundane or worldly: fleeting, sublunary pleasure.
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. 2018

Related Words for sublunary

temporal, earthly, frail, materialistic, sensual, physical, mundane, secular, earthy, practical, terrestrial, worldly, carnal, perishable, passing, transient, ephemeral, fading, lay, mortal

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
  1. situated between the moon and the earth
  2. 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