Transmute

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Transmute \Trans*mute"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Transmuted}; p.
     pr. & vb. n. {Transmuting}.] [L. transmutare, transmutatum;
     trans across + mutare to change. See {Mutable}, and cf.
     {Transmew}.]
     To change from one nature, form, or substance, into another;
     to transform.


     [1913 Webster]
  
           The caresses of parents and the blandishments of
           friends transmute us into idols.         --Buckminster.
     [1913 Webster]
  
           Transmuting sorrow into golden joy
           Free from alloy.                         --H. Smith.
     [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  transmute
       v 1: alter the nature of (elements)
       2: change in outward structure or looks; "He transformed into a
          monster"; "The salesman metamorphosed into an ugly beetle"
          [syn: {transform}, {metamorphose}]
       3: change or alter in form, appearance, or nature; "This
          experience transformed her completely"; "She transformed
          the clay into a beautiful sculpture"; "transubstantiate
          one element into another" [syn: {transform}, {transubstantiate}]