transform

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition

1. v. 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. v. To change the nature, function, or condition of; convert. See Synonyms at convert.
3. v. Mathematics To subject to a transformation.
4. v. Electricity To subject to the action of a transformer.
5. v. Genetics To subject (a cell) to transformation.
6. v. To undergo a transformation.
7. n. The result, especially a mathematical quantity or linguistic construction, of a transformation.

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. n. In mathematics, the figure or function or operator which results from performing the operation of transformation.
2. To change the form of; metamorphose; change to something dissimilar.
3. Specifically, in alchemy, to change into another substance; transmute.
4. To change the nature, character, or disposition of.
5. In mathematics, to alter from one figure or expression to another differing in form but equal in quantity. See transformation, 4. = Syn. 1–3. Transform, Transmute, Transfigure, and Metamorphose agree in representing a thorough change, transform being the most general word. Transform is the only one that applies to change in merely external aspect, as by a change in garments, but it applies also to internal change, whether physical or spiritual: as, the caterpillar is transformed into the butterfly; the drunkard is transformed into a self-controlling man. Transmute is founded upon the idea of a rearrangement of material, but it really notes the highest degree or the most remarkable forms of change, a complete change of nature, amounting even to the miraculous or the impossible: as, to transmute iron into gold; the word is figurative when not applied to physical change. Transfigure is controlled in its signification by the use of the word in connection with the change in the appearance of Jesus Christ, as related in Mat. xvii., Mark ix., and Luke ix. It applies only to a change in aspect by which a spiritual uplifting seems to exalt and glorify the whole person, and especially the countenance. Metamorphose now seems figurative when not used with scientific exactness according to the definitions under metamorphosis.
6. To change in appearance or character; undergo transformation; be metamorphosed: as, some insects transform under ground; the pupa transforms into the imago.

Wiktionary

1. v. transitive to change greatly the appearance or form of
2. v. transitive to change the nature, condition or function of
3. v. transitive (mathematics) to subject to a transformation
4. v. transitive (electricity) to subject to the action of a transformer
5. v. transitive (genetics) to subject (a cell) to transformation
6. v. intransitive to undergo a transformation
7. n. mathematics the result of a transformation

GNU Webster's 1913

1. v. To change the form of; to change in shape or appearance; to metamorphose.
2. v. To change into another substance; to transmute.
3. v. To change in nature, disposition, heart, character, or the like; to convert.
4. v. (Math.) To change, as an algebraic expression or geometrical figure, into another from without altering its value.
5. v. rare To be changed in form; to be metamorphosed.

WordNet 3.0

1. v. subject to a mathematical transformation
2. v. convert (one form of energy) to another
3. v. increase or decrease (an alternating current or voltage)
4. v. change or alter in form, appearance, or nature
5. v. change (a bacterial cell) into a genetically distinct cell by the introduction of DNA from another cell of the same or closely related species
6. v. change in outward structure or looks
7. v. change from one form or medium into another