transform English · revision 10386

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1340|origins=fro transformer|origins=la transformare}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /tɹænsˈfɔːm/, /tɹɑːnsˈfɔːm/ ''(UK)''; /tɹænsˈfɔɹm/, /ˈtɹænsfɔɹm/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is Middle English transformen, [[bor|fro|transformer]] and directly from Latin trānsfōrmāre, to change in shape, metamorphose,^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) from trāns-, across, beyond (see [[trans-]]), and fōrmāre, to form (see [[form]]).^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ To change the form of: about 1340, in Rolle's prose treatises;^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989) the late 14th century in Etymonline, where it is first a supernatural change.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ To change the nature, character or disposition of something is by the 1550s (1556).^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) The intransitive sense, to undergo a change, is from 1597.^(OED 1989) In mathematics, to change a figure or expression to another of equal value is first recorded in 1743,^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989) and the noun, the result of a transformation, is from 1853.^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) To change one form of energy into another is from 1871,^(OED 1989) to change the voltage of a current from 1883,^(OED 1989) and in molecular biology to change a bacterial cell genetically from 1928.^(OED 1989) ''Transformation'' is from 1410, and ''transformer'', a person who transforms, from 1601.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1340 – to change the form of.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1410 – transformation.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1556 – to change the character.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1743 – in mathematics.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1853 – a transform (noun).^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1883 – to transform a current.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To change markedly in form, appearance, nature or function.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To convert one form of energy into another.^(Collins 2023)

+ # To increase or decrease an electric voltage, as with a [[transformer]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(mathematics, linguistics)'' To subject to a transformation.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # The result of a transformation, especially in mathematics or linguistics.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[transformable]]

+ * [[transformative]]

+ * [[nontransforming]]

+ * [[retransform]]

+ * [[transformer]]

+ * [[Fourier transform]]

+ * [[Laplace transform]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[transformation]]

+ * [[transformational]]

+ * [[transformism]]

+ * [[transformist]]

+ * [[form]]

+ * [[conform]]

+ * [[reform]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}