Sub‐lime″ (?), a. [Compar.Sublimer (?); superl.Sublimest.] [L. sublimis; sub under + (perhaps) a word akin to limen lintel, sill, thus meaning, up to the lintel: cf. F. sublime. Cf. Eliminate.] 1. Lifted up; high in place; exalted aloft; uplifted; lofty.
Sublime on these a tower of steel is reared. Dryden.
2. Distinguished by lofty or noble traits; eminent; — said of persons. “The sublime Julian leader.” De Quincey.
3. Awakening or expressing the emotion of awe, adoration, veneration, heroic resolve, etc.; dignified; grand; solemn; stately; — said of an impressive object in nature, of an action, of a discourse, of a work of art, of a spectacle, etc.; as, sublime scenery; a sublime deed.
Easy in words thy style, in sense sublime. Prior.
Know how sublime a thing it is
To suffer and be strong. Longfellow.
4. Elevated by joy; elate.
Their hearts were jocund and sublime,
Drunk with idolatry, drunk with wine. Milton.
5. Lofty of mien; haughty; proud. “Countenance sublime and insolent.” Spenser.
His fair, large front and eye sublime declared
Absolute rule. Milton.
Syn. — Exalted; lofty; noble; majestic. See Grand.