Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - sublime

 I. verb  (~d; subliming)  Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French ~r, from Medieval Latin sublimare to refine, ~, from Latin, to elevate, from sublimis  Date: 14th century  transitive verb  1. to cause to pass directly from the solid to the vapor state and condense back to solid form  2. French ~r, 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  • sublimable adjective  • ~r noun  II. adjective  (~r; -est)  Etymology: Latin sublimis, literally, high, elevated  Date: circa 1567  1.  a. lofty, grand, or exalted in thought, expression, or manner  b. of outstanding spiritual, intellectual, or moral worth  c. tending to inspire awe usually because of elevated quality (as of beauty, nobility, or grandeur) or transcendent excellence  2.  a. archaic high in place  b. obsolete lofty of mien ; haughty  c. capitalized supreme — used in a style of address  d. complete, utter ~ ignorance  Synonyms: see splendid  • ~ly adverb  • ~ness noun