[trans.form] vb [ME, fr. L transformare, fr. trans- + formare to form, fr. forma form] vt (14c) 1 a: to change in composition or structure b: to change the outward form or appearance of c: to change in character or condition: convert
2: to subject to mathematical transformation
3: to cause (a cell) to undergo genetic transformation ~ vi: to become transformed: change -- trans.form.able adj -- trans.for.ma.tive adj syn transform, metamorphose, transmute, convert, transmogrify, transfigure mean to change a thing into a different thing. transform implies a major change in form, nature, or function "transformed a small company into a corporate giant". metamorphose suggests an abrupt or startling change induced by or as if by magic or a supernatural power "awkward girls metamorphosed into graceful ballerinas". transmute implies transforming into a higher element or thing "attempted to transmute lead into gold". convert implies a change fitting something for a new or different use or function "converted the study into a nursery". transmogrify suggests a strange or preposterous metamorphosis "a story in which a frog is transmogrified into a prince". transfigure implies a change that exalts or glorifies "joy transfigured her face".
[2]trans.form n (1853) 1: a mathematical element obtained from another by transformation
2: transformation 3a(1), (2)
3: a linguistic structure (as a sentence) produced by means of a transformation ""the duckling is killed by the farmer" is a ~ of "the farmer kills the duckling""