Transmute

To transmute is to change or alter in form, appearance, or nature, and especially to transform something into a higher or better form. This often implies a fundamental and significant change, a metamorphosis from one thing into another. The process can be physical, as in changing one substance into another, or metaphorical, describing shifts in character, emotions, or ideas. It implies a considerable level of influence and power is used to facilitate the change. The concept historically links to alchemy, the attempt to turn base metals into gold. The essence of 'transmute' lies in the transformation itself; the process by which something ceases to be what it was and evolves into something different.

Transmute meaning with examples

• The alchemist attempted to transmute lead into gold, a central goal of his lifetime's studies. This act, requiring both knowledge and skill, defined the ambition, not just to change the properties of the matter, but also to unlock the hidden potential that the material might hold and change. The hope, not just the process of experimentation, was the true driver of his long work.
• Through intense grief, the artist learned to transmute sorrow into vibrant works of art. The pain, previously debilitating, began to become a creative force that pushed past boundaries. The transformation happened over time, like a river carving through the stone, each brushstroke becoming a tool for emotional expression, changing everything.
• The harsh criticisms of his performance, though initially painful, helped to transmute his weaknesses into strengths. This self-reflection was key to his development, allowing him to understand the lessons contained within the negative reviews. This shift was gradual, each analysis of a past mistake becoming a step towards improvement and mastery.
• The revolutionary's passionate speeches served to transmute the apathy of the populace into a fiery determination for change. He converted their shared disquiet into a shared energy that could then start change, the passive into active, inertia into a forward march. The words and their power made the formerly disinterested ready to action, turning inaction to a great force.