sublimate

  1. Verb.  (physics) To change state from a solid to a gas (or from a gas to a solid) without passing through the liquid state (''transitive'' or ''intransitive'').
  2. Verb.  To purify or refine a substance through such a change of state.
  3. Verb.  (transitive, psychoanalysis) To modify the natural expression of a sexual or primitive instinct in a socially acceptable manner; to divert the energy of such an instinct into some acceptable activity.
  4. Verb.  (archaic) To raise to a place of honor.

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This entry was last updated on RefTopia from its source on 3/20/2012.