transubstantiate [tran-suh b-stan-shee-eyt] Word Origin verb (used with object), tran·sub·stan·ti·at·ed, tran·sub·stan·ti·at·ing.
- to change from one substance into another; transmute.
- Theology. to change (the bread and wine) into the body and blood of Christ in the Eucharist.
Origin of transubstantiate 1400–50; v. use of late Middle English transsubstanciate (adj.) transubstantiated Medieval Latin trānssubstantiātus, past participle of trānssubstantiāre. See trans-, substance, -ate1 Related formstran·sub·stan·tial, adjectivetran·sub·stan·tial·ly, adverbun·tran·sub·stan·ti·at·ed, adjective British Dictionary definitions for transubstantial transubstantiate verb
- (intr) RC theol (of the Eucharistic bread and wine) to undergo transubstantiation
- (tr) to change (one substance) into another; transmute
Derived Formstransubstantial, adjectivetransubstantially, adverbWord Origin for transubstantiate C16: from Medieval Latin transsubstantiāre, from Latin trans- + substantia substance