verb, noun — 13 senses
/ˈsʌblɪmeɪt/
Etymology From Middle English sublymate, from Latin sublīmātus, past participle of sublīmāre (“to raise, elevate”).
› To heat (a substance) in a container so as…
Chemistry, Natural sciences, Physical sciences To change (a solid substance) into a gas without breaking down or passing through the liquid state by heating it gently.
Chemistry, Natural sciences, Physical sciences To change (a substance) from a gas into a solid through sublimation.
Chiefly passive voice
Broadly, Figuratively To refine (something) until it disappears or loses all meaning.
Human sciences, Medicine, Psychoanalysis, Psychology, Sciences Broadly, Figuratively To modify (the natural expression of a sexual or primitive instinct) in a socially acceptable manner; to divert the energy of (such an instinct) into some acceptable activity.
Archaic, Broadly, Figuratively To obtain (something) through, or as if through, sublimation.
Archaic, Broadly, Figuratively To purify or refine (a substance).
› Synonym of sublime.
Also, Broadly, Figuratively To raise (someone) to a high office or status; to dignify, to elevate, to exalt.
Broadly, Figuratively To raise something to a state of excellence; to improve.
Chemistry, Natural sciences, Physical sciences Of a substance: to change from a solid into a gas without passing through the liquid state, with or without being heated.
Chemistry, Natural sciences, Physical sciences Of a substance: to change from a gas into a solid without passing through the liquid state.
Human sciences, Medicine, Psychoanalysis, Psychology, Sciences Figuratively To modify the natural expression of a sexual or primitive instinct in a socially acceptable manner; to divert the energy of such an instinct into some acceptable activity.
Figuratively Synonym of sublime (“to become higher in quality or status; to improve”).
/ˈsʌblɪmət/
Etymology From Middle English sublymate, from Latin sublīmātus, past participle of sublīmāre (“to raise, elevate”).
Chemistry, Natural sciences, Physical sciences A product obtained by sublimation.
Entry derived from the Wiktionary, under licence CC BY-SA 4.0 — list of authors.