Sublime

a. [compar. SUBLIMER; superl. SUBLIMEST.] [Lat. sublimis, probably from sublevare, to lift up; Fr., It., & Sp. sublime. See SUBLEVATION.]

1Sense 1. Lifted up; high in place; exalted aloft; — in a literal or physical sense.

Sublime on these a tower of steel is reared. Dryden.

2Sense 2. Distinguished by lofty or noble traits; eminent; — said of persons.

The age was fruitful in great men, but if we except the sublime Julian leader, none, as regards splendor of endowments, stood upon the same level as Cicero. De Quincey.

3Sense 3. Awakening or expressing the emotion of awe, adoration, veneration, heroic resolve, and the like; dignified; grand; solemn; stately; — said of an impressive object in nature, of a noble action, of a discourse, of a work of art, of a spectacle, and the like; as, sublime scenery; a sublime deed.

Easy in style thy work, in sense sublime. Prior.

4Sense 4. Elevated by joy; elate; as, sublime with expectation.

Their hearts were jocund and sublime, Drunk with idolatry, drunk with wine. Milton.

5Sense 5. Lofty of mien; elevated in manner. [Rare.]

His fair, large front, and eye sublime declared Absolute rule. Milton.

Synonyms—Grand; exalted; lofty; noble; majestic. See GRAND.

n. A grand or lofty style; a style that expresses lofty conceptions.

The sublime rises from the nobleness of thoughts, the magnificence of words, or the harmonious and lively turn of the phrase. Addison.

v. t. [imp. & p. p. SUBLIMED; p. pr. & vb. n. SUBLIMING.] 1. To raise on high. [Obs. or rare.] 2. To bring to a state of vapor by heat, and condense again by cold; to sublimate. 3. To exalt; to heighten; to improve; to purify and ennoble.

The sun . . .

Which not alone the southern wit sublimes, But ripens spirits in cold, northern climes. Pope.

4Sense 4. To dignify; to ennoble.

An ordinary gift can not sublime a person to a supernatural employment. Bp. Taylor.