Sub-lím'i-ty, n.
n. [Lat. sublimitas, Fr. sublimité, Pr. sublimitat, Sp. sublimidad, It. sublimità.]
Sense 1. The state of being sublime; as, (a.) Elevation of place; lofty height. (b.) Nobleness of nature or character; eminence. (c.) An elevated feeling, consisting of a union of astonishment and awe, at the contemplation of great scenes and objects, or of exalted excellence.
Sense 2. Specifically, lofty conceptions, or such conceptions expressed in corresponding language; loftiness of sentiment or style.
Milton's distinguishing excellence lies in the sublimity of his thoughts. Addison.
Synonyms— Grandeur; magnificence. — SUBLIMITY, GRANDEUR. The mental state indicated by these two words is the same, namely, a mingled emotion of astonishment and awe. In speaking of the quality which produces this emotion, we call it grandeur when it springs from what is vast in space, power, &c.; we call it sublimity when it springs from what is elevated far above the ordinary incidents of humanity. An immense plane is grand. The heavens are not only grand, but sublime (as the predominating emotion), from their immense height. Exalted intellect, and especially exalted virtue under severe trials, gives us the sense of moral sublimity, as in the case of our Savior in his prayer for his murderers. We do not speak of Satan, when standing by the fiery gulf, with his “unconquerable will and study of revenge,” as a sublime object; but there is a melancholy grandeur thrown around him, as of “archangel ruined.”