sublime

Verb · Adjective
Synonyms: sublimateempyrealempyreanreverendexaltedelevatedgrandhigh-flownhigh-mindedloftyrarefiedrarified

WordNet 3.0

Verb (2)

  1. vaporize and then condense right back againSynonyms: sublimate
  2. change or cause to change directly from a solid into a vapor without first melting“sublime iodine”“some salts sublime when heated”Synonyms: sublimate

Adjective (4)

  1. inspiring awe“well-meaning ineptitude that rises to empyreal absurdity — M.S.Dworkin”“empyrean aplomb — Hamilton Basso”“the sublime beauty of the night”Synonyms: empyrealempyrean
  2. worthy of adoration or reverenceSynonyms: reverend
  3. lifted up or set high“their hearts were jocund and sublime — Milton”
  4. of high moral or intellectual value; elevated in nature or style“an exalted ideal”“argue in terms of high-flown ideals — Oliver Franks”“a noble and lofty concept”“a grand purpose”Synonyms: exaltedelevatedgrandhigh-flownhigh-mindedloftyrarefiedrarifiedidealisticnoble-minded
Advertisement

Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Sublime \Sub*lime"\, a. [Compar. Sublimer; superl. Sublimest.] [L. sublimis; sub under + (perhaps) a word akin to limen lintel, sill, thus meaning, up to the lintel: cf. F. sublime. Cf. Eliminate.]

1.Lifted up; high in place; exalted aloft; uplifted; lofty. [1913 Webster]

Sublime on these a tower of steel is reared.— Dryden.[1913 Webster]

2.Distinguished by lofty or noble traits; eminent; -- said of persons. "The sublime Julian leader." --De Quincey. [1913 Webster]

3.Awakening or expressing the emotion of awe, adoration, veneration, heroic resolve, etc.; dignified; grand; solemn; stately; -- said of an impressive object in nature, of an action, of a discourse, of a work of art, of a spectacle, etc.; as, sublime scenery; a sublime deed. [1913 Webster]

Easy in words thy style, in sense sublime.— Prior.[1913 Webster]
Know how sublime a thing it is To suffer and be strong.— Longfellow.[1913 Webster]

4.Elevated by joy; elate. [Poetic] [1913 Webster]

Their hearts were jocund and sublime, Drunk with idolatry, drunk with wine.— Milton.[1913 Webster]

5.Lofty of mien; haughty; proud. [Poetic] "Countenance sublime and insolent." --Spenser. [1913 Webster]

His fair, large front and eye sublime declared Absolute rule.— Milton.[1913 Webster]

Syn: Exalted; lofty; noble; majestic. See Grand. [1913 Webster]

Sublime \Sub*lime"\, n. That which is sublime; -- with the definite article; as: (a) A grand or lofty style in speaking or writing; a style that expresses lofty conceptions. [1913 Webster]
The sublime rises from the nobleness of thoughts, the magnificence of words, or the harmonious and lively turn of the phrase. --Addison. [1913 Webster] (b) That which is grand in nature or art, as distinguished from the merely beautiful. [1913 Webster]
Sublime \Sub*lime"\, v. i. (Chem.) To pass off in vapor, with immediate condensation; specifically, to evaporate or volatilize from the solid state without apparent melting; -- said of those substances, like arsenic, benzoic acid, etc., which do not exhibit a liquid form on heating, except under increased pressure. [1913 Webster]
Sublime \Sub*lime"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Sublimed; p. pr. & vb. n. Subliming.] [Cf. L. sublimare, F. sublimer to subject to sublimation. See Sublime, a., and cf. Sublimate, v. t.]

1.To raise on high. [Archaic] [1913 Webster]

A soul sublimed by an idea above the region of vanity and conceit.— E. P. Whipple.[1913 Webster]

2.(Chem.) To subject to the process of sublimation; to heat, volatilize, and condense in crystals or powder; to distill off, and condense in solid form; hence, also, to purify. [1913 Webster]

3.To exalt; to heighten; to improve; to purify. [1913 Webster]

The sun . . . Which not alone the southern wit sublimes, But ripens spirits in cold, northern climes.— Pope.[1913 Webster]

4.To dignify; to ennoble. [1913 Webster]

An ordinary gift can not sublime a person to a supernatural employment.— Jer. Taylor.[1913 Webster]
Advertisement