First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
1sublimate
transitive verb sub·li·mate \ˈsə-blə-ˌmāt\
psychology : to express a desire or feeling by changing it into a form that is socially acceptable
sub·li·mat·edsub·li·mat·ing
Full Definition of SUBLIMATE
2
: to divert the expression of (an instinctual desire or impulse) from its unacceptable form to one that is considered more socially or culturally acceptable
— sub·li·ma·tion \ˌsə-blə-ˈmā-shən\ noun

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Origin of SUBLIMATE
Middle English, from Medieval Latin sublimatus, past participle of sublimare
Other Psychology Terms
Rhymes with SUBLIMATE
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2sublimate
noun sub·li·mate \ˈsə-blə-ˌmāt, -mət\
Definition of SUBLIMATE
: a chemical product obtained by sublimation
First Known Use of SUBLIMATE
circa 1626
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