transmute

American  

[trans-myoot, tranz-] / trænsˈmyut, trænz- /

verb (used with or without object)

transmuted, transmuting

1. to change from one nature, substance, form, or condition into another; transform.

   Synonyms:

   alter, convert, metamorphose

---

transmute British  

/ trænzˈmjuːt /

verb

1. to change the form, character, or substance of

2. to alter (an element, metal, etc) by alchemy

---

Other Word Forms

• transmutability noun
• transmutable adjective
• transmutableness noun
• transmutably adverb
• transmuter noun
• untransmutability noun
• untransmutable adjective
• untransmutableness noun
• untransmutably adverb
• untransmuted adjective

Etymology

Origin of transmute

1400–50; late Middle English < Latin trānsmūtāre to shift, equivalent to trāns- trans- + mūtāre to change.

Example Sentences

The rosary presupposes our boredom, propensity to distraction, and impatience with dull routine and attempts to transmute these failings into the virtues of faith, hope and charity.

From The Wall Street Journal

Astrologers consult a national zodiac, palm readers ring pagodas, would-be alchemists attempt to transmute mercury into gold and SIM card companies advertise dial-a-diviners.

From Barron's

In Heaney’s poetry the personal is always transmuted by a larger vision.

From The Wall Street Journal

"What causes something to be insulating, conducting or magnetic? Can we transmute something into a different state?"

From Science Daily

According to Israel's Basic Law, the president "has the power to pardon criminals and reduce or transmute their sentence".

From BBC

Related Words

• metamorphose
• mutate