Origin of sublimate

1425–75; late Middle English: exalted, sublimated < Latin sublīmātus (past participle of sublīmāre to elevate), equivalent to sublīm(is) sublime + -ātus -ate1

OTHER WORDS FROM sublimate

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH sublimate

sublimate sublime

Example sentences from the Web for sublimate

British Dictionary definitions for sublimate

sublimate
/ (ˈsʌblɪˌmeɪt) /

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

Derived forms of sublimate

sublimable (ˈsʌbləməbəl), adjective

Word Origin for sublimate

C16: from Latin sublīmāre to elevate, from sublīmis lofty; see sublime

Medical definitions for sublimate

sublimate
[ sŭblə-māt′ ]

v.

To transform directly from the solid to the gaseous state or from the gaseous to the solid state without becoming a liquid.
To modify the natural expression of an instinctual impulse, especially a sexual one, in a socially acceptable manner.