I. tranzˈfȯ(ə)rm, traan-, -n(t)ˈsf-, -ȯ(ə)m verb
Etymology: Middle English transformen, from Latin transformare, from trans- + formare to form
transitive verb
1.
a. : to change completely or essentially in composition or structure : metamorphose — usually used with into or to
the sea king's daughter is transformed into a river — Alfred Frankenstein
life-giving water which transforms the dusty sagebrush lands into fertile fields — American Guide Series: Texas
the process which transformed the lumber … into gunstocks — C.W.Mitman
the processes by which policy is transformed into law and administration — A.N.Holcombe
b. : to change the outward form or appearance of : alter
for a moment the smile transformed his face — J.C.Smith b.1924
the drizzle that had so greatly transformed the scene — Thomas Hardy
science … has transformed the world as the scene of the human drama — C.W.Eliot
— often used with into or to
an elaborate experiment in camouflage meant to transform it into … farms and orange groves — J.G.Cozzens
the setting sun suddenly transformed the … peaks to furnace red — George Farwell
c. : to change in character or condition : convert , transfigure
do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind — Rom 12:2 (Revised Standard Version)
a change in the economic condition is not alone sufficient to transform woman's situation — Nation
— often used with to
inventions and discoveries which quickly transform the people … from barbarism to civilization — R.W.Murray
2. : to subject to a usually mathematical or logical transformation
3.
a. : to change (one form of energy) into another
the engine transforms potential energy into motion
b. : to change (a current) in potential (as from high voltage to low voltage) or in type (as from alternating to continuous)
intransitive verb
: to become transformed : change
the growing Crepidula first becomes a male and later … transforms into a female — W.C.Allee
a proton … can transform into a neutron — R.E.Marshak
sofas that transform for use as a bed
Synonyms:
metamorphose , transmute , convert , transmogrify , transfigure : these all signify in common to change one thing into another or different thing. transform can mean a change in outward shape or form or in character, nature, or function
the old rock quarry … has been transformed into a large baseball and football field and is used as a skating rink in the winter — American Guide Series: Minnesota
water, in the shape of rain, will always transform that gray soil into a sort of sticky black glue — C.E.W.Bean
transform the hunger and misery of the people into hatred — Stanley Ross
metamorphose may add the idea of a supernaturally or magically induced change; it may be confined to a change in structure or habits marking a stage in the development of some form of animal life or a change induced by chemicals or powerful natural agencies, in general, however, suggesting an abrupt, striking, or violent alteration
a plain girl metamorphosed into a dazzling beauty
a caterpillar metamorphosed into a butterfly
rocks metamorphosed by heat into hard crystals
transmute suggests an elemental change especially involving a metamorphosis of a lower element or thing into a higher
the alchemists had believed that base metals could be transmuted into gold by such a process — S.F.Mason
modern atomic science can actually transmute metals — plutonium is a transmuted metal — Time
art not only adds something new, but seems to transmute and enrich the old — Clive Bell
convert usually stresses a change in detail that fits a thing to a given or especially a new use or function rather than an overall change
the stupendous task of converting virgin wilderness into farms and homes — American Guide Series: Texas
the business of converting novels into musicals — Lewis Funke
transmogrify suggests a metamorphosis that is often grotesque or bewildering and sometimes preposterous
the classical heroes and heroines were transmogrified into medieval knights and ladies — J.L.Lowes
the monarch transmogrified into a horse, a beast, but still royal — Jean S. Untermeyer
transfigure suggests an exaltation or glorification in outward appearance
in Bonnard's paintings, the colors of nature are marvelously heightened, enriched, transfigured — David Sylvester
all the tenderness that had transfigured his face the day before shone there, as he bent over her — Clive Arden
II. ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ noun
( -s )
: transformation 6
III. transitive verb
: to cause to undergo genetic transformation
IV. noun
1. : a mathematical element obtained from another by transformation
2. : a linguistic structure (as a sentence) produced by means of a transformation