1. (

• transformation ,
• transmutation ,
• shift ,

) a qualitative change ;

2. (

• transformation

) (mathematics) a function that changes the position or direction of the axes of a coordinate system ;

3. (

• transformation

) a rule describing the conversion of one syntactic structure into another related syntactic structure ;

4. (

• transformation ,

) (genetics) modification of a cell or bacterium by the uptake and incorporation of exogenous DNA ;

5. (

• transformation ,
• translation ,

) the act of changing in form or shape or appearance; "a photograph is a translation of a scene onto a two-dimensional surface" ;