transmogrify

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. verb change completely the nature or appearance of

Etymology

17th century; origin uncertain, but possibly from transmigure, transmigrate. It is also possible that this word is a formation derived from maugre, hence it originally signified the "evil eye", but under the influence of the former etymologies shifted its meaning to its sense of "transformation". Another possibility is a humorous blending of transfigure and modify.

In classic literature

Synonyms

metamorphose, transfigure

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