Sublimed Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

🌬️
Add to dictionary

sublimed

[səˈblaɪmd ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

chemical process

To sublimate means to take a solid and convert it directly into a gas without passing through a liquid state. This process occurs when the molecules of the solid gain enough energy to break the intermolecular forces holding them together. Sublimation can happen under specific conditions of temperature and pressure.

Synonyms

convert, evaporate, transform.

Examples of usage

  • Dry ice sublimates at room temperature.
  • Some substances sublimate in a vacuum.
  • Snow can sublimate during cold, dry conditions.
Context #2 | Verb

psychological process

In psychology, to sublimate means to channel one's emotions and impulses into socially acceptable or constructive activities. This defense mechanism allows individuals to redirect their energies away from disruptive behaviors towards more productive pursuits.

Synonyms

channel, redirect, transform.

Examples of usage

  • He sublimated his anger into athletic training.
  • Artists often sublimate their emotions into their work.
  • Sublimation can help in coping with stress.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Science

  • In chemistry, this physical change often involves substances like dry ice or iodine, which skip the liquid phase.
  • Sublimation is important in freeze-drying foods, where moisture is removed while keeping the food intact.
  • Certain materials sublimate at specific pressures and temperatures, leading to fascinating applications in material science.

Psychology

  • The term 'sublimation' has a psychological aspect, referring to transforming negative emotions into positive actions.
  • Freud suggested that sublimation is a defense mechanism, allowing people to channel feelings into socially acceptable behaviors.
  • Artists and creators often discuss sublimation as a way to express complex feelings through art or writing, rather than through direct confrontation.

Literature

  • Many poets use the concept of sublimation to describe a rise in emotions or thoughts that seem to ascend above common experiences.
  • In classic literature, characters often experience sublimation as they achieve a higher state of understanding or beauty.
  • The romantic movement frequently portrayed characters whose feelings sublimated into lofty ideals or profound love.

Pop Culture

  • The concept of sublimation appears in various films and books where characters undergo transformations, symbolizing personal growth.
  • In video games, players often 'sublime' materials to create higher-level items, mirroring the idea of elevation.
  • Sublimed visuals or animations often depict themes of transcendence, reinforcing its connection to beauty and purity in modern storytelling.

Origin of 'sublimed'

Main points about word origin

  • The term comes from the Latin 'sublimare', meaning 'to elevate' or 'to raise up', reflecting the transformation process.
  • Before it was used in science, 'sublime' referred to something of great beauty or grandeur in English literature and philosophy.
  • 'Sublimed' carries the sense of something being made purer, elevating its state, much like how a beautiful idea rises in our minds.

The term 'sublimed' comes from the Latin word 'sublimare', which means to elevate or to raise up. It is derived from 'sub-' meaning 'up to' and 'limen', meaning 'threshold'. The concept originally related to raising substances to higher forms, as seen in early alchemical texts. The use in chemistry to describe the phase change of solids to gases without becoming liquid emerged in scientific discussions during the 19th century. Over time, the word has also found its way into psychological terminology, representing the transformation of emotions into socially acceptable actions. This dual usage reflects the term's evolution from a purely physical process to include metaphorical applications in individual behavior and social interaction.