• IPA: /səˈblaɪm/

sublime (sublimes, present participle subliming; past and past participle sublimed)

1. (chemistry, physics, ambitransitive) To sublimate.
2. (transitive) To raise on high.

   • a soul sublimed by an idea above the region of vanity and conceit

3. (transitive) To exalt; to heighten; to improve; to purify.

   Synonyms: sublimate

   • 1709, [Alexander Pope], An Essay on Criticism, London: Printed for W. Lewis […], published 1711, OCLC 15810849 ↗:

     The sun […] / Which not alone the southern wit sublimes, / But ripens spirits in cold, northern climes

4. (transitive) To dignify; to ennoble.

   • An ordinary gift cannot sublime a person to a supernatural employment.

• sublimation

• French: sublimer
• German: sublimieren
• Portuguese: sublimar
• Russian: сублимировать
• Spanish: sublimar

sublime (comparative sublimer, superlative sublimest)

1. Noble and majestic.

   • the sublime Julian leader

2. Impressive and awe-inspiring, yet simple.

   sublime scenery

   a sublime deed

3. (obsolete) Lifted up; high in place; exalted aloft; uplifted; lofty.

   • Sublime on these a tower of steel is reared.

4. (obsolete) Elevated by joy; elated.
   • 1671, John Milton, “Samson Agonistes, […]”, in Paradise Regain’d. A Poem. In IV Books. To which is Added, Samson Agonistes, London: Printed by J. M[acock] for John Starkey […], OCLC 228732398 ↗, page 96 ↗:

     While thir hearts were jocund and ſublime, / Drunk with Idolatry, drunk with Wine,

5. Lofty of mien; haughty; proud.

   • countenance sublime and insolent

   • 1667, John Milton, “Book 4 ↗”, in Paradise Lost. A Poem Written in Ten Books, London: Printed [by Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […] [a]nd by Robert Boulter […] [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], OCLC 228722708 ↗; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: The Text Exactly Reproduced from the First Edition of 1667: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, OCLC 230729554 ↗:

     His fair large Front and Eye ſublime declar'd / Abſolute rule;

• subliminal

• French: sublime
• German: hehr, erhaben, nobel, sublim
• Italian: sublime
• Portuguese: sublime
• Russian: возвы́шенный
• Spanish: sublime

• German: grandios, vortrefflich
• Russian: впечатля́ющий
• Spanish: sublime, portentoso

sublime (plural sublimes)

1. Something sublime.

• German: Erhabene
• Portuguese: sublime
• Russian: возвышенное