Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Sublimate \Sub"li*mate\, a. [LL. sublimatus.]
   Brought into a state of vapor by heat, and again condensed as
   a solid.

Sublimate \Sub"li*mate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Sublimated}; p.
   pr. & vb. n. {Sublimating}.] [L. sublimatus, p. p. of
   sublimare to raise, elevate, fr. sublimis high: cf. F.
   sublimer. See {Sublime}, a., and cf. {Surlime}, v. t.]
   1. To bring by heat into the state of vapor, which, on
      cooling, returns again to the solid state; as, to
      sublimate sulphur or camphor.

   2. To refine and exalt; to heighten; to elevate.

            The precepts of Christianity are . . . so apt to
            cleanse and sublimate the more gross and corrupt.
                                                  --Dr. H. More.

Sublimate \Sub"li*mate\, n. [LL. sublimatum.] (Chem.)
   A product obtained by sublimation; hence, also, a purified
   product so obtained.

   {Corrosive sublimate}. (Chem.) See under {Corrosive}.

Source : WordNet®

sublimate
     adj : made pure [syn: {purified}, {refined}]

sublimate
     n : the product of vaporization of a solid
     v 1: direct energy or urges into useful activities
     2: make more subtle or refined [syn: {rarefy}, {subtilize}]
     3: remove impurities from, increase the concentration of, and
        separate through the process of distillation; "purify the
        water" [syn: {purify}, {make pure}, {distill}]
     4: change or cause to change directly from a solid into a vapor
        without first melting; "sublime iodine"; "some salts
        sublime when heated" [syn: {sublime}]
     5: vaporize and then condense right back again [syn: {sublime}]