sublimate

[suhb-luh-meyt, suhb-luh-mit, -meyt]

verb (used with object)

sublimated, sublimating 

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)

sublimated, sublimating 

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

Other Word Forms

• sublimable adjective
• sublimableness noun
• sublimation noun
• desublimate verb (used with object)
• resublimate verb (used with object)
• supersublimated adjective
• unsublimated 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

As usual with racist conspiracists, the psychological motivation is a combination of sublimated shame and defensiveness, manifesting in a victim complex.

From Salon

"Because Martian air is so thin and the temperatures so cold, water-ice snow sublimates, or becomes a gas, before it even touches the ground. Dry-ice snow actually does reach the ground," NASA's website states.

From Salon

It’s a good-looking movie about sublimated lives and the need to break free, one that feels torn between presenting the surface allure of those desires in a repressive time and exploring anything deeper.

From Los Angeles Times

“You’ve got to sublimate yourself, your ego, and yes, your identity. You must stand in front of the public and God and obliterate yourself.”

From Salon

In another scene, it fosters a shared revolt with the older women, who briefly allow their own sublimated pain to emerge.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• repress