sublimate

UK[ˈsʌblɪmeɪt]US[ˈsʌblɪmeɪt]

to express strong emotions or use energy by doing an activity, especially an activity that is considered socially acceptable

(in chemistry) to change directly from a solid into a gas without first becoming a liquid

(in chemistry) a solid substance that has been obtained by sublimating another substance

Morpheme Breakdown

sub

lim

ate

sub

under, up to

lim

threshold

ate

verb suffix

Etymology

the word 'sublimate' originates from the latin verb 'sublimare', meaning 'to lift up, elevate, or raise aloft'. this verb is itself composed of 'sub-', here with an intensive meaning 'up to', and 'limen', meaning 'threshold' or 'lintel'. the core logic is of moving something up to or beyond a boundary. in medieval alchemy, this term was adopted to describe the process of purifying a substance by heating it so that it vaporizes and then condenses, a physical 'elevation'. this dual sense of physical elevation and psychological refinement converged in modern usage, where it describes both a chemical process and the channeling of primal impulses into socially elevated activities.

Analysis

Structure: sub (under, up to) + lim (threshold) + ate (verb suffix) sub- (prefix, latin origin, meaning 'under, up to, from below'); lim (root, latin 'limen' meaning 'threshold'); -ate (suffix, latin '-atus', forming verbs meaning 'to act upon').

Examples

he learned to sublimate his aggressive instincts into competitive sports.

during the experiment, the dry ice sublimated directly into carbon dioxide gas.

the artist's work is a sublimation of her personal grief into powerful imagery.