transmigrate

American  

[trans-mahy-greyt, tranz-] / trænsˈmaɪ greɪt, trænz- /

verb (used without object)

transmigrated, transmigrating

1. to move or pass from one place to another.

2. to migrate from one country to another in order to settle there.

3. (of the soul) to be reborn after death in another body.

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verb (used with object)

transmigrated, transmigrating

1. to cause to transmigrate, as a soul; transfer.

transmigrate British  

/ ˌtrænzmaɪˈɡreɪt /

verb

1. to move from one place, state, or stage to another

2. (of souls) to pass from one body into another at death

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Other Word Forms

• transmigration noun
• transmigrational adjective
• transmigrative adjective
• transmigrator noun
• transmigratory adjective
• untransmigrated adjective

Etymology

Origin of transmigrate

1400–50; late Middle English < Latin trānsmigrātus (past participle of trānsmigrāre to depart, migrate). See trans-, migrate

Explanation

You're most likely to come across the word transmigrate in a religious context. Your soul, some people believe, will transmigrate into a new body after death. Another way to say transmigrate is reincarnate, or be born again after death. Many religions believe that people transmigrate after they die, including Buddhism and Hinduism as well as some Native American beliefs. Rarely, the verb transmigrate is used to mean "move to a new country," although migrate is much more common. The root is the Latin word transmigrat, "move from one place to another," from the prefix trans, "across or beyond," and migratus, "to move."

Example Sentences

Ladder�If the 20th Century does not suit, transmigrate to the 25th.

From Time Magazine Archive

So we may justly say that this "character"—this moral and intellectual essence of a man—does veritably pass over from one fleshly tabernacle to another, and does really transmigrate from generation to generation.

From Evolution and Ethics by Huxley, Thomas Henry

An idea may have many garments, may transmigrate into many different material forms.

From Expositions of Holy Scripture Psalms by Maclaren, Alexander

"I am sure all this is because you think you will transmigrate into a black spider!" she replied, her nostrils trembling with anger.

From From the Caves and Jungles of Hindostan by Blavatsky, H. P. (Helena Petrovna)

"Because, in order for the soul to transmigrate, the previous body's got to be dead, and I'm afraid our little pal here was alive all the time."

From Once a Greech by Smith, Evelyn E.