Definition of "sublunary"
sublunary
adjective
not comparable
Of this world (as opposed to heaven etc.); earthly, terrestrial.
Quotations
All Sublunary Things are contemptible, and of no Value.
a. 1668, Jeremy Taylor, “Contemplations of the State of Man”, in Reginald Heber, editor, The Whole Works of the Right Rev. Jeremy Taylor, D.D. […], volume III, London: Ogle, Duncan, and Co. […]; and Richard Priestley, […], published 1822, chapter III, page 426
[…] the Cœlestial Bodies above the Moon being incorruptible, and not subject to change, remain’d for ever fair, and in perpetual order: On the contrary, all things which are sublunary are subject to change, to deformity, and to decay.
1695, Charles Alphonse du Fresnoy, translated by John Dryden, De Arte Graphica: The Art of Painting, London: W. Rogers, Preface, page v
All sublunary Comforts imitate the Changeableness, as well as feel the Influence, of the Planet they are under.
1715, Robert South, “A Discourse Preached at Christ-Church, Oxon, Before the University, October 15, 1699”, in Twelve Sermons Preached at Several Times, and upon Several Occasions, 4th edition, volume IV, London: […] J[ames] Bettenham, for Jonah Bowyer, […], published 1727, page 533
and the conversation which employed the hours between Friday and me was such as made the three years which we lived there together perfectly and completely happy, if any such thing as complete happiness can be formed in a sublunary state.
1719 May 6 (Gregorian calendar), [Daniel Defoe], The Life and Strange Surprizing Adventures of Robinson Crusoe, […], 3rd edition, London: […] W[illiam] Taylor […], published 1719
Monimia hears not my complaints; her ſoul, ſublimed far, far above all ſublunary cares, enjoys that felicity, of vvhich ſhe was debarred on earth.
1753, [Tobias Smollett], “His Return to England, and Midnight Pilgrimage to Monimia’s Tomb”, in The Adventures of Ferdinand Count Fathom. […], volume II, London: […] W. Johnston, […], page 239
Body o' me, it makes a man sick of his kind, ashamed to belong to the race of men, to see the envy that abounds in this here sublunary wale[sic – meaning vale] of tears!
1832, [Edward Bulwer-Lytton], chapter XI, in Eugene Aram. A Tale. […], volume I, London: Henry Colburn and Richard Bentley, […], book I, page 192