sublime

/sə'blaim/
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sublime

The sunset over the mountains was a sublime spectacle.

Definition
  1. Adjective:

    • Of high moral or intellectual value; elevated in nature or style: Describing something that is noble, lofty, or of exceptional grandeur, often inspiring awe or reverence.
    • Inspiring awe through beauty, excellence, or grandeur: Describing something so impressive or beautiful that it evokes a sense of overwhelming wonder or admiration.
  2. Verb:

    • To change directly from a solid into a vapor without first melting: A scientific process where a substance transitions from the solid phase to the gas phase without passing through a liquid phase.
    • To vaporize and then condense back into a solid: Specifically refers to the process of sublimation, often used in chemistry and physics.
Examples of Usage
  • Adjective:

    • The view from the mountain peak was truly sublime.
    • Her dedication to helping others was a sublime act of kindness.
    • The symphony's final movement reached a sublime intensity.
  • Verb:

    • Dry ice sublimes at room temperature, creating a fog.
    • In the experiment, we will sublime the iodine crystals.
    • This particular compound will sublime when heated under vacuum.
Advanced Usage
  • "From the sublime to the ridiculous": An idiom describing a shift from something very grand or impressive to something foolish or trivial.

    • The debate quickly went from the sublime to the ridiculous.
  • Used in literary or philosophical contexts to describe transcendent beauty or an ultimate, almost spiritual, quality.

    • The poet sought to capture the sublime in nature.
Variants and Related Words
  • Sublimity (n): The quality or state of being sublime.

    • The sublimity of the ancient forest left them speechless.
  • Sublimely (adv): In a sublime manner.

    • The pianist played the piece sublimely.
  • Sublimation (n): The process or instance of subliming. Also used in psychology to describe the channeling of impulses into socially acceptable activities.

    • The sublimation of the solid was complete. / Art can be a form of sublimation.
Synonyms
  • Adjective: exalted, noble, lofty, magnificent, majestic, awe-inspiring, transcendent, glorious.
  • Verb: sublimate, vaporize.
Related Phrasal Verbs/Constructions

(Note: "Sublime" is not commonly used in phrasal verb constructions. Its verbal use is primarily technical.) - Sublime away: A less common construction meaning to remove or purify by sublimation. - The impurities were sublimed away, leaving a pure sample.

Related Idioms
  • The sublime and the beautiful: A philosophical concept, often associated with Edmund Burke, distinguishing between awe-inspiring grandeur ("the sublime") and pleasing, harmonious aesthetics ("the beautiful").
  • Touch the sublime: To reach a level of extreme excellence or beauty.
    • Her performance in that final act touched the sublime.
sublime

The sunset over the mountains was a sublime spectacle.

Adjective
  1. of high moral or intellectual value; elevated in nature or style
    • an exalted ideal
    • argue in terms of high-flown ideals- Oliver Franks
    • a noble and lofty concept
    • a grand purpose
  2. lifted up or set high
    • their hearts were jocund and sublime- Milton
  3. worthy of adoration or reverence
  4. inspiring awe
    • well-meaning ineptitude that rises to empyreal absurdity- M.S.Dworkin
    • empyrean aplomb- Hamilton Basso
    • the sublime beauty of the night
Verb
  1. change or cause to change directly from a solid into a vapor without first melting
    • sublime iodine
    • some salts sublime when heated
  2. vaporize and then condense right back again