transfigere

Transfigere is a Latin verb formed from the prefix trans- meaning “across” or “through” and figere meaning “to fix” or “to fasten.” In classical Latin, the compound is not among the most common forms, and its primary literal sense is typically understood as “to pierce through” or “to fix across.” The term is more often discussed in etymological or lexical contexts rather than as a frequently used verb in surviving texts.

In later Latin and ecclesiastical Latin, related concepts of transformation are more commonly expressed with other forms such as transfigurare or transfiguratio, which specifically convey the idea of changing form or appearance. As a result, transfigere itself is rarely attested as a productive, stand-alone verb in traditional Latin literature. When it appears in scholarly discussions, it is usually described as a rare or archaic form within the broader family of verbs built from figere.

In modern usage, the verb transfigere does not play a significant role outside the study of Latin language history. The English cognate transfigure derives from Latin through French and other Romance languages, and in scholarly contexts English discussions tend to reference the more common derivatives transfigurare or the noun transfiguratio rather than the standalone transfigere.

See also: Transfiguratio; Transfigurare; Transfigure (English).