transubstantiate

American  

[tran-suhb-stan-shee-eyt] / ˌtræn səbˈstæn ʃiˌeɪt /

verb (used with object)

transubstantiated, transubstantiating

1. to change from one substance into another; transmute.

2. Theology. to change (the bread and wine) into the body and blood of Christ in the Eucharist.

---

transubstantiate British  

/ ˌtrænsəbˈstænʃɪˌeɪt /

verb

1. (intr) RC theol (of the Eucharistic bread and wine) to undergo transubstantiation

2. (tr) to change (one substance) into another; transmute

---

Other Word Forms

• transubstantial adjective
• transubstantially adverb
• untransubstantiated adjective

Etymology

Origin of transubstantiate

1400–50; v. use of late Middle English transsubstanciate (adj.) transubstantiated < Medieval Latin trānssubstantiātus, past participle of trānssubstantiāre. See trans-, substance, -ate ¹

Example Sentences

This change in Turner’s style may have had something to do with the cataracts he developed after habitually staring into the sun, but he transubstantiated this physical limitation into paintings that depicted eternity.

From New York Times

But maybe, Shin would have us believe, there’s a way to get past the limitations of our perspectives, to subvert our own framing devices via art’s ability to estrange and transubstantiate.

From New York Times

But his concerns are the same as artists 500 years gone — how bodies can be transubstantiated into precious metal, and take on new meaning and value.

From New York Times

It is now an idea that is asked to support and transubstantiate the weight of our time.

From The New Yorker

But her film transubstantiates the energy of that live show into something entirely different.

From Salon