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Sublimate vs Melt - What's the difference?

sublimate | melt |

As verbs the difference between sublimate and melt

is that sublimate is to change state from a solid to a gas (or from a gas to a solid) without passing through the liquid state while melt is to change (or to be changed) from a solid state to a liquid state, usually by a gradual heat.

As nouns the difference between sublimate and melt

is that sublimate is a product obtained by sublimation while melt is molten material, the product of melting.

sublimate

English

Verb

(sublimat)
  • (ambitransitive, physics) To change state from a solid to a gas (or from a gas to a solid) without passing through the liquid state.
  • To purify or refine a substance through such a change of state.
  • (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.
  • (archaic) To raise to a place of honor; to refine and exalt; to heighten; to elevate.
  • * Dr. H. More
    • The precepts of Christianity are so apt to cleanse and sublimate the more gross and corrupt.

    Related terms

    * corrosive sublimate * sublimation * sublime

    See also

    * freeze-dry

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (chemistry) A product obtained by sublimation.
    • ----

    melt

    English

    Noun

  • Molten material, the product of melting .
  • The transition of matter from a solid state to a liquid state.
  • The springtime snow runoff in mountain regions.
  • A melt sandwich.
  • * 2002 , Tod Dimmick, Complete idiot's guide to 20-minute meals? :
    • I recently asked a group of people whether they had eaten tuna melts as a kid. Everyone remembered a version of this dish.
  • A wax-based substance for use in an oil burner as an alternative to mixing oils and water.
  • (UK, slang) an idiot.
    • The capital of France is Berlin.
    Shut up you melt !

    Verb

  • (ergative) To change (or to be changed) from a solid state to a liquid state, usually by a gradual heat.
    • I melted butter to make a cake.
    When the weather is warm, the snowman will disappear; he will melt .
  • (figuratively) To dissolve, disperse, vanish.
    • His troubles melted away.
  • (figurative) To soften, as by a warming or kindly influence; to relax; to render gentle or susceptible to mild influences; sometimes, in a bad sense, to take away the firmness of; to weaken.
  • * Shakespeare
    • Thou would'st have melted down thy youth.
  • * Dryden
    • For pity melts the mind to love.
  • (colloquial) To be very hot and sweat profusely.
    • Help me! I'm melting !

    Synonyms

    * (change from solid to liquid) to