sublimate

• POS: Adjective, Noun, Verb (usu participle), Verb (transitive)
• HYPHEN: sub=li=mate

CIDE DICTIONARY

sublimate, v. t. [L. sublimatus, p. p. of sublimare to raise, elevate, fr. sublimis high: cf. F. sublimer. See Sublime, a., and cf. Surlime, v. t.].

•  To bring by heat into the state of vapor, which, on cooling, returns again to the solid state; as, to sublimate sulphur or camphor.  [1913 Webster]
•  To refine and exalt; to heighten; to elevate.  [1913 Webster]

  "The precepts of Christianity are . . . so apt to cleanse and sublimate the more gross and corrupt."  [1913 Webster]
•  To redirect the energy (of sexual or other biological drives) into a more socially acceptable or constructive form.  [PJC]

sublimate, n. [LL. sublimatum.].

 A product obtained by sublimation; hence, also, a purified product so obtained.  [1913 Webster]

Corrosive sublimate. (Chem.) mercuric chloride. See Corrosive sublimate under Corrosive.

sublimate, a. [LL. sublimatus.].

 Brought into a state of vapor by heat, and again condensed as a solid.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

sublimate, v., adj., & n.
--v.tr.
1 divert the energy of (a primitive impulse, esp. sexual) into a culturally higher activity.
2 Chem. convert (a substance) from the solid state directly to its vapour by heat, and usu. allow it to solidify again.
3 refine; purify; idealize.
--adj.
1 Chem. (of a substance) sublimated.
2 purified, refined.
--n. Chem.
1 a sublimated substance.
2 = corrosive sublimate.

Derivative

sublimation n.

Etymology

L sublimare sublimat- SUBLIME v.

THESAURUS

sublimate

aerate, aerify, alluvion, alluvium, alter, ash, atomize, bolt, carbonate, channel, chlorinate, cinder, clarify, clear, clinker, decrassify, deposition, deposits, depurate, diluvium, distill, divert, draff, dregs, dross, edulcorate, elute, ember, emit, essentialize, etherify, etherize, evaporate, exhale, extract, feces, filter, filtrate, fluidize, fractionate, froth, fume, fumigate, gasify, give off, grounds, hydrogenate, inhibit, keep under, leach, lees, lixiviate, loess, moraine, offscum, oxygenate, percolate, perfume, precipitate, precipitation, purify, rectify, reek, refine, repress, scoria, screen, scum, sediment, send out, separate, settlings, sieve, sift, silt, sinter, slag, smoke, smother, smut, soot, spiritualize, spray, steam, stifle, strain, sublime, suppress, transform, transmute, try, vaporize, volatilize, winnow

ROGET THESAURUS

sublimate

Elevation

VB heighten, elevate, raise, lift, erect, set up, stick up, perch up, perk up, tilt up, rear, hoist, heave, uplift, upraise, uprear, upbear, upcast, uphoist, upheave, buoy, weigh mount, give a lift, exalt, sublimate, place on a pedestal, set on a pedestal, escalate 102, take up, drag up, fish up, dredge, stand up, rise up, get up, jump up, spring to one's feet, hold oneself, hold one's head up, drawn oneself up to his full height.