Word of the Day

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

transmute

\trans-MYOOT; tranz-\ , transitive verb;

To change from one nature, form, substance, or state into another; to transform.

intransitive verb:

To undergo transmutation.

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Quotes:

It now seems as if she no longer had the strength or will to transmute life into art.

-- Christopher Lehmann-Haupt, "Changes Not for the Better", New York Times, February 28, 1974

Sand that once was rock becomes rock once again as it slowly sediments and compresses into layers of sandstone, which, in turn, transmute into sand.

-- Lena Lencek and Gideon Bosker, The Beach: The History of Paradise on Earth

Origin:

Transmute is from Latin transmutare, "to change utterly," from trans-, "across" + mutare, "to change."