sublimate

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

verb (used with object)

, sub·li·mat·ed, sub·li·mat·ing.

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)

, sub·li·mat·ed, sub·li·mat·ing.

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

/ 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

Derived Forms

• sublimable, adjective

Other Words From

• sub·li·ma·ble [suhb, -l, uh, -m, uh, -b, uh, l], adjective
• subli·ma·ble·ness noun
• subli·mation noun
• de·subli·mate verb (used with object) desublimated desublimating
• re·subli·mate verb (used with object) resublimated resublimating
• super·subli·mated adjective
• un·subli·mated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of sublimate¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of sublimate¹

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

Example Sentences

We have to sublimate a lot of emotions into our sports teams because we’re repressed.

From Los Angeles Times

She pulled him up, brushed him off and transitioned him into a life where he would sublimate his addictive impulses into steady work.

From Los Angeles Times

This could be the anthem animating the subconscious of Black Twitter, one of sublimated and disaffected affections .

From Los Angeles Times

Materials are sublimated in a vacuum under heat supply, i.e. they are converted from a solid to a gaseous state and condense on the substrate surface.

From Science Daily

Ellis-Taylor’s face becomes an epic poem of expertly sublimated frustration and ire.

From Salon

Related Words

• repress