v. trans·formed, trans·form·ing, trans·forms v.tr. 1. 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. To change the nature, function, or condition of; convert: A steam engine transforms heat into mechanical energy. See Synonyms at convert. 3. Mathematics To subject to a transformation. 4. Electricity To subject to the action of a transformer. 5. Genetics To subject (a cell) to transformation. v.intr. To undergo a transformation. n. (trănsfôrm′) The result, especially a mathematical quantity or linguistic construction, of a transformation. [Middle English transformen, from Old French transformer, from Latin trānsfōrmāre : trāns-, trans- + fōrma, form.] trans·forma·ble adj. |
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