transubstantiation

[ tran-suhb-stan-shee-ey-shuhn ]

noun

1. the changing of one substance into another.
2. Theology. the changing of the elements of the bread and wine, when they are consecrated in the Eucharist, into the body and blood of Christ (a doctrine of the Roman Catholic Church).

transubstantiation

/ ˌtrænsəbˌstænʃɪˈeɪʃən /

noun

1. esp in Roman Catholic theology
   1. the doctrine that the whole substance of the bread and wine changes into the substance of the body and blood of Christ when consecrated in the Eucharist
   2. the mystical process by which this is believed to take place during consecration Compare consubstantiation
2. a substantial change; transmutation

transubstantiation

1. According to the traditional teaching of the Roman Catholic Church , the presence of Jesus in the sacrament of Communion . Through transubstantiation, the bread and wine consumed by worshipers become the body and blood of Jesus when a priest , acting on Jesus' behalf, speaks the words “This is my body” and “This is my blood” over them.

Notes

Transubstantiation was the focus of a great controversy during the Reformation , because most other groups of Christians (see also Christian ) do not maintain this doctrine. They usually hold that the body and blood of Jesus are only symbolically present in the bread and wine or that the bread and wine are the body and blood of Jesus and bread and wine at the same time.

Derived Forms

• ˌtransubˌstantiˈationalist, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of transubstantiation¹

1350–1400; Middle English transubstanciacioun < Medieval Latin trānssubstantiātiōn- (stem of trānssubstantiātiō ). See transubstantiate, -ion

Example Sentences

There is no such thing as annihilation; death is surely transubstantiation.

From Project Gutenberg

The word transubstantiation was not known until after this council.

From Project Gutenberg

Is it not a miracle,” interrupted the philosopher, laughing, “more real than thy fancied transubstantiation?

From Project Gutenberg

Yet their name remained, and was long used in Bohemia as a term of the bitterest contempt for those who denied transubstantiation.

From Project Gutenberg

"Koukou denies transubstantiation," the pastor continued, sadly emptying his glass.

From Project Gutenberg