sublimated

Sublimated is the past participle of sublimate and an adjective used to describe something that has undergone sublimation or has been transformed by that process. The term appears in science, psychology, and industry, and it is often used to describe both physical changes and metaphorical enhancements.

In chemistry and physics, sublimation is the phase transition from a solid directly to a gas, bypassing the liquid phase. Substances that sublimate at ambient pressure are said to sublimate under those conditions. Common examples include dry ice (solid carbon dioxide) and iodine. Sublimation is used as a method to purify solids, separate mixtures, or remove moisture, and it underlies processes such as freeze-drying, where ice sublimes under reduced pressure to leave a preserved solid. Sublimated material can be collected by cooling the vapor back to a solid or liquid elsewhere.

In printing and textiles, sublimation refers to dye-sublimation transfer. Solid dye is heated to a gas and then diffuses into a polymer substrate, where it crystallizes. This method is widely used for permanently printing on polyester fabrics and some coated surfaces; designs produced by sublimation are typically durable and resistant to washing and fading. Fabrics marketed as sublimated often indicate the use of this dye-transfer process.

In psychology, sublimation is a mature defense mechanism in which unacceptable impulses are redirected into acceptable or constructive activities, such as creative work, sport, or social engagement. The term describes a transformation of energy rather than a literal phase change.

Etymology traces sublimated to Latin sublimatus, from sublimare. The word remains in common use in both technical and figurative contexts.