I. tran(t)s-ˈfȯrm verb
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French transformer, from Latin transformare, from trans- + formare to form, from forma form
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
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
intransitive verb
: to become transformed : change
• trans·form·able -ˈfȯr-mə-bəl adjective
• trans·for·ma·tive -ˈfȯr-mə-tiv adjective
Synonyms:
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
II. ˈtran(t)s-ˌfȯrm noun
Date: 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 transform of “the farmer kills the duckling”