The Sublimed are those alien civilizations in the science fiction works of Iain M. Banks (specifically his novels about The Culture) who have left the material universe behind (subliming) to take up an immaterial existence. They are mentioned in the novels Excession and Look To Windward, and play a major role in the latter.

Having been subjected to the process of sublimation; hence, also, purified.

passing or having passed from the solid to the gaseous state (or vice versa) without becoming liquid