Encarta Sat 22 Jan 2011 02:58 AM
transform [ transs fáwrm ] verb (3rd person present singular transforms, present participle transforming, past and past participle transformed)
Definition: 1. transitive verb change something dramatically: to change somebody or something completely, especially improving their appearance or usefulness 2. intransitive verb undergo total change: to change completely for the better 3. transitive verb physics convert something to different energy: to convert one form of energy to another 4. transitive verb electrical engineering change electrical current by transformer: to increase or decrease current or voltage by means of a transformer 5. transitive verb mathematics change mathematical expression by operator: to change the form of a mathematical expression in keeping with a mathematical rule, especially by the substitution of variables or the change of coordinates 6. transitive verb linguistics change construction by linguistic transformation: to apply transformational rules to a linguistic construction
noun (plural transforms) Definition: 1. linguistics Same as transformation (sense 9) 2. result of mathematical transformation: a process or rule by which one mathematical entity such as a line or expression can be derived from another [14th century. Directly or via French transformer< Latin transformare 'form across' < formare< forma 'mould, shape'] transformable adjective transformative adjective
Word Key: Synonyms See change.