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transform - 7 dictionary results

trans⋅form

[v. trans-fawrm; n. trans-fawrm]
–verb (used with object)
1. to change in form, appearance, or structure; metamorphose.
2. to change in condition, nature, or character; convert.
3. to change into another substance; transmute.
4. Electricity.
a. to increase or decrease (the voltage and current characteristics of an alternating-current circuit), as by means of a transformer.
b. to decrease (the voltage and current characteristics of a direct-current circuit), as by means of a transformer.
5. Mathematics. to change the form of (a figure, expression, etc.) without in general changing the value.
6. Physics. to change into another form of energy.
–verb (used without object)
7. to undergo a change in form, appearance, or character; become transformed.
–noun
8. Mathematics.
a. a mathematical quantity obtained from a given quantity by an algebraic, geometric, or functional transformation.
b. the transformation itself.
9. the result of a transformation.
10. a transformation.
11. Logic. transformation (def. 5).
12. Linguistics. a structure derived by a transformation.

Origin:
1300–50; ME transformen < L trānsfōrmāre to change in shape. See trans-, form


trans⋅form⋅a⋅ble, adjective
trans⋅form⋅a⋅tive, adjective


1. transfigure. Transform, convert mean to change one thing into another. Transform suggests changing from one form, appearance, structure, or type to another: to transform soybeans into oil and meal by pressure. Convert suggests so changing the characteristics as to change the use or purpose: to convert a barn into a house.

trans⋅for⋅ma⋅tion

[trans-fer-mey-shuhn]
–noun
1. the act or process of transforming.
2. the state of being transformed.
3. change in form, appearance, nature, or character.
4. Theater. a seemingly miraculous change in the appearance of scenery or actors in view of the audience.
5. Logic. Also called transform. one of a set of algebraic formulas used to express the relations between elements, sets, etc., that form parts of a given system.
6. Mathematics.
a. the act, process, or result of transforming or mapping.
b. function (def. 4a).
7. Linguistics.
a. transformational rule.
b. the process by which deep structures are converted into surface structures using transformational rules.
8. Genetics. the transfer of genetic material from one cell to another resulting in a genetic change in the recipient cell.
9. a wig or hairpiece for a woman.

Origin:
1400–50; late ME < LL trānsfōrmātiōn- (s. of trānsfōrmātiō) change of shape. See trans-, formation


trans⋅for⋅ma⋅tion⋅al, adjective
trans·form   (trāns-fôrm')   
v.   trans·formed, trans·form·ing, trans·forms

v.   tr.
  1. To change markedly the appearance or form of: "A thick, fibrous fog had transformed the trees into ghosts and the streetlights into soft, haloed moons" (David Michael Kaplan).
  2. To change the nature, function, or condition of; convert. See Synonyms at convert.
  3. Mathematics To subject to a transformation.
  4. Electricity To subject to the action of a transformer.
  5. Genetics To subject (a cell) to transformation.
v.   intr.
To undergo a transformation.
n.   (trāns'fôrm')
The result, especially a mathematical quantity or linguistic construction, of a transformation.

[Middle English transformen, from Old French transformer, from Latin trānsfōrmāre : trāns-, trans- + fōrma, form.]
trans·form'a·ble adj.

Transform

Trans*form"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Transformed; p. pr. & vb. n. Transforming.] [L. transformare, transformatum; trans across, over + formare to from: cf. F. transformer. See Form, v. t.]

1. To change the form of; to change in shape or appearance; to metamorphose; as, a caterpillar is ultimately transformed into a butterfly.

Love may transform me to an oyster. --Shak.

2. To change into another substance; to transmute; as, the alchemists sought to transform lead into gold.

3. To change in nature, disposition, heart, character, or the like; to convert.

Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind. --Rom. xii. 2.

4. (Math.) To change, as an algebraic expression or geometrical figure, into another from without altering its value.

Transform

Trans*form"\, v. i. To be changed in form; to be metamorphosed. [R.]

His hair transforms to down. --Addison.
Language Translation for : transform
Spanish: transformar,
German: verwandeln,
Japanese: 変える

transform 
c.1340, from O.Fr. transformer, from L. transformare "change the shape or form of," from trans- "across" + formare "to form" (see form). Transformer "device to reduce electrical currents" is first recorded 1883, from Fr. transformateur (1882).

Main Entry: trans·form
Pronunciation: tran(t)s-'fo(&)rm
Function: transitive verb
: to cause to change: as a : to change (acurrent) in potential (as from high voltage to low) or in type (as from alternating to direct) b : to cause (a cell) to undergo genetic transformation transform intransitivesenses
: to become transformed
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