The term that best describes the conversion of a solid directly to a gas without passing through the liquid state is sublimation.

Here's a breakdown:

* Sublimation: The process where a substance transitions directly from a solid to a gaseous state.

* Melting: The process where a solid transitions to a liquid state.

* Freezing: The process where a liquid transitions to a solid state.

* Vaporization: The general term for the process of a liquid transitioning to a gas. This includes both boiling (at a specific temperature) and evaporation (occurring at the surface of a liquid).

* Condensation: The process where a gas transitions to a liquid state.

* Deposition: The process where a gas transitions directly to a solid state.

Let me know if you have any other questions.