| 释义 |
sub·lime
I. \səˈblīm\ verb
(-ed/-ing/-s)
Etymology: Middle English sublimen, from Middle French sublimer, from Medieval Latin sublimare to refine, purify, sublime, from Latin, to lift up, raise, from sublimis uplifted, high
transitive verb
1.
a. : to cause to pass from the solid to the vapor state by the action of heat and again condense to solid form
< many chemicals (as naphthalene, benzoic acid, and iodine) are sublimed to rid them of impurities >
b. : to produce, purify, or release by heating a containing mixture
< sublime pure sulfur from an unpure mixture >
2. [French sublimer, from Latin sublimare]
a. : to elevate or exalt especially in dignity or honor : render finer (as in purity or excellence)
b. : to convert (something inferior) into something of higher esteem or worth
< selfishness sublimed into care for the public welfare >
3. : to cause to rise upward
< the sun's hot rays sublime the morning dew >
intransitive verb
1. of a chemical entity : to undergo sublimation : pass directly from the solid to the vapor state
< ammonia vapor sublimes from solid crystals >
2. : to become elevated or exalted (as in dignity or honor) : become finer (as in purity or excellence)
II. adjective
(-er/-est)
Etymology: Latin sublimis uplifted, high, sublime, from sub- up + -limis (from limin-, limen threshold) — more at sub-, limb
1.
a. : lofty in conception or expression : grand or exalted in thought or manner
< the sublimest lines in English prose >
< a sublime style difficult to maintain >
b. : elevated or exalted in character : of outstanding spiritual, intellectual, or moral worth
< in a sublime spirit of sacrifice >
< sublime devotion >
< a sublime Christian leader >
c. : tending to inspire awe or uplifting emotion usually by reason of elevated beauty, nobility, grandeur, solemnity, or similar character
< the sublime beauty of that night >
< a sublime peace settled about us >
d. : outstanding as such : very great : notable
< turned out to be a sublime husband >
< you sublime idiot >
< the sublime stench in a city of evil smells — W.H.Hudson †1922 >
2.
a. archaic : high in place : raised to a great height : lifted up
b. obsolete : lofty of mien : haughty, proud
c.
(1) : of exalted rank or high estate
(2) usually capitalized : supreme — used in a style of address (as to former Turkish sovereigns)
3. obsolete : elevated by joy : elated
Synonyms: see splendid
III. noun
(-s)
1. : things that are sublime : the sublime aspect of anything : the quality of sublimity — usually used with the
< we see little of the literary sublime in current writing >
< from the sublime to the ridiculous >
2. : the supreme degree or utmost point : acme |