View synonyms for sublimate

sublimate

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

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

verb (used with object)

, sub·li·mat·ed, sub·li·mat·ing.

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.
Chemistry.
1. to sublime (a solid substance); extract by this process.
2. to refine or purify (a substance).
to make nobler or purer:
To read about great men sublimates ambition.

verb (used without object)

, sub·li·mat·ed, sub·li·mat·ing.

to become sublimated; undergo sublimation.

noun

Chemistry. the crystals, deposit, or material obtained when a substance is sublimated.

adjective

purified or exalted; sublimated.

sublimate

/ ˈsʌblɪˌmeɪt; ˈsʌbləməbəl /

verb

psychol to direct the energy of (a primitive impulse, esp a sexual one) into activities that are considered to be socially more acceptable
tr to make purer; refine

noun

chem the material obtained when a substance is sublimed

adjective

exalted or purified

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Derived Forms

sublimable, adjective

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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

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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