Word of the Day 3.6.20 sub·lime /səˈblīm/ Origin late 16th century (in the sense ‘dignified, aloof’): from Latin sublimis , from sub- ‘up to’ + a second element perhaps related to limen ‘threshold’, limus ‘oblique’. ed to lo sub·lime | \ sə-ˈblīm sublimed ; subliming Definition of sublime (Entry 1 of 2) transitive verb 1 : to cause to pass directly from the solid to the vapor state and condense back to solid form 2 [French sublimer , from Latin sublimare ] a (1) : to elevate or exalt especially in dignity or honor (2) : to render finer (as in purity or excellence) b : to convert (something inferior) into something of higher worth intransitive verb : to pass directly from the solid to the vapor state sublime ...