transfigure
Meaning
To change the appearance of someone or something very much, especially in a spiritual or beautiful way.
Structure
Usage
The setting sun seemed to transfigure the landscape into a scene of pure gold.
His experience of profound grief ultimately transfigured his outlook on life.
In the story, the wizard's spell transfigured the pumpkin into a magnificent carriage.
Etymology
The word 'transfigure' entered English in the late 14th century from Old French 'transfigurer', which itself was derived from Latin 'transfigurare'. This Latin verb is a compound of 'trans-' (across, beyond) and 'figura' (form, shape). The literal meaning is "to change the form or shape across to another," implying a complete metamorphosis. Originally used in a theological context to describe a spiritual and glorious change in appearance, such as the Transfiguration of Christ, its usage broadened to signify any profound and often exalted transformation of outward form, carrying connotations that go beyond mere physical change to suggest an elevation in spiritual or aesthetic quality.
Analysis
The prefix 'trans-' is from Latin, meaning 'across, beyond, through'. The root 'figure' is from Latin 'figura', meaning 'form, shape, appearance'.