Origin and history of sublime

1580s, of language, style, etc., "expressing lofty ideas in an elevated manner," from French sublime (15c.), or directly from Latin sublimis "uplifted, high, borne aloft, lofty, exalted, eminent, distinguished," possibly originally "sloping up to the lintel," from sub "up to" (see sub-) + limen "lintel, threshold, sill" (see limit (n.)).

Of ideas, subjects, "striking the mind with a sense of grandeur or power," 1630s. Of persons, "high in excellence, exalted by lofty or noble traits," 1640s; of things in nature or art, by 1700. The sublime (n.) "the sublime part of anything, that which is stately or imposing" is from 1670s. It also was a verb in alchemy in Middle English (late 14c.).

Natural objects may be sublime without physical height, if vastness and great impressiveness are present. In the moral field the sublime is that which is so high above ordinary human achievements as to give the impression of astonishment blended with awe .... [Century Dictionary]

For Sublime Porte, former title of the Ottoman government, see Porte.