Definition of sublime

The word "sublime" originated in 17th century literature, derived from the Latin word "sublīmis" meaning "lofty" or "elevated." Initially, in its literal sense, the term "sublime" referred to something that had been raised to a higher place, such as food being raised above the table during a solemn ceremony. However, as it passed into English, the word came to have a broader philosophical meaning. The British philosopher Edmund Burke wrote extensively about the concept of the sublime in the late 1700s. Burke defined the sublime as a complex, mixed emotion, which combined both pain and pleasure, and which was aroused by objects that were impressive and awe-inspiring, but also somewhat terrifying. The sublime, for Burke, was fundamentally different from the beautiful, which was characterized by harmony, proportion, and order. Instead, the sublime was marked by a lack of harmony, disproportion, and disorder. The Alps, for example, were sublime because they were both beautiful and frightening, inspiring both admiration and terror. The use of the word sublime in this context continues to be commonly employed today to describe phenomena that evoke strong, mixed emotions, such as a magnificent sunset, a stunning symphony, or a breathtaking cliff vertigo.