Sublate
/səˈbleɪt/noun
To negate or remove something while preserving and transforming it within a higher or more comprehensive form, especially in Hegelian philosophy.
Did you know?Hegel used the German word Aufheben—simultaneously meaning “to lift up,” “to abolish,” and “to preserve”—and “sublate” became a major English translation of that paradox.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*bher-
“To carry, bear, or bring”
Classical Latin
Latin
ferre
“To carry or bear; the irregular verb underlying forms built from its past participle”
Classical Latin
Latin
lātus
“Carried, borne, brought, or lifted; the past participle associated with ferre”
Classical Latin
Latin
sublātus
“Lifted up, removed, or carried away, from sub- (“up”) plus lātus”
17th Century
English
sublate
“To remove, take away, or lift up; an uncommon English verb”
19th Century
German/English
aufheben / sublate
“In Hegelian philosophy, to cancel or overcome while retaining and transforming what has been negated”
Modern English
English
sublate
“To preserve an element by incorporating it into a higher synthesis or structure”