different between metamorphosis vs transmogrify

English

Etymology

First attested in 1533, from Latin metamorph?sis, from Ancient Greek ???????????? (metamórph?sis), from ???? (metá, “change”) + ????? (morph?, “form”). Analyzable as meta- +? -morph +? -osis

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /?m?t??m??f?s?s/, /?m?t?m???f??s?s/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /?m????m??f?s?s/
• (one pronunciation) Rhymes: -??s?s
• Hyphenation: met?a?mor?pho?sis

Noun

metamorphosis (countable and uncountable, plural metamorphoses)

1. A transformation, such as one performed by magic.
2. A noticeable change in character, appearance, function or condition.
3. (biology) A change in the form and often habits of an animal after the embryonic stage during normal development. (e.g. the transformation of a caterpillar into a butterfly or a tadpole into a frog.)
4. (pathology) A change in the structure of a specific body tissue. Usually degenerative.

Derived terms

Related terms

• metamorphic
• metamorphose
• metamorphosize
• metamorphism

Translations

English

Etymology

Origin uncertain, but possibly from transmigure or 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.

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /t?ænz?m????fa?/
• (US) IPA^(key): /t?ænz?m?????fa?/

Verb

transmogrify (third-person singular simple present transmogrifies, present participle transmogrifying, simple past and past participle transmogrified)

1. (transitive) To completely alter the form of.
2. (intransitive) To completely alter one's form.
   • 2015 August 5, "Review: `Hamilton,' Young Rebels Changing History and Theater" in The New York Times:

     But 'Hamilton,' directed by Thomas Kail and starring Mr. Miranda, might just be about worth it—at least to anyone who wants proof that the American musical is not only surviving but also evolving in ways that should allow it to thrive and transmogrify in years to come.

Derived terms

• transmogrification

Translations