Transfigure
/trænsˈfɪɡjər/noun
To change the outward form or appearance of something, especially in a striking or elevated way.
Did you know?The word entered English through Latin and French, but its most famous mystical use in English is religious: the Transfiguration is the radiant changing of Christ’s appearance, turning a simple verb into a word of divine metamorphosis.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*bʰew-
“to become, grow, appear”
Latin
Latin
transfigurare
“to change in form, transform”
Old French
Old French
transfigurer
“to transfigure, change appearance”
14th Century
Middle English
transfiguren
“to change the form or appearance of”
Modern English
English
transfigure
“to change in outward form or appearance, especially in a striking way”