tranzˈfigyə(r), traan-, -n(t)ˈsf-, ÷-gə(r) transitive verb
Etymology: Middle English transfiguren, from Latin transfigurare, from trans- + figurare to shape, fashion, form, from figura figure
1. : to change the form or appearance of : transform
her face was transfigured by uncontrollable passion — Arnold Bennett
his will has been transfigured by association with the wills of others — B.N.Cardozo
— often used with into
his … special gifts led him to transfigure the wasteland into a circus — C.J.Rolo
nationalism was transfigured into internationalism — C.B.Forcey
2. : exalt , glorify , spiritualize
the great cliffs and domes were transfigured in the hazy golden air — John Muir †1914
music … will transfigure plain meanings and clothe the verbal substance with a kind of incandescence — A.T.Davison
the same sacrifice transfigured the communicants who shared the mystery — Oscar Handlin
— often used with into
her beautiful face was transfigured into the ravishingly angelic — Arnold Bennett
the moment when good verse … is transfigured into a thing that takes the breath away — C.D.Lewis
Synonyms: see transform