A WORD A DAY.

Southland Times, Issue 21429, 25 June 1931, Page 8

A WORD A DAY.

TRANSFIGURE. We adopted this word into our language from a combination of the Latin trans, "across” (implying change), and figura, “figure, outward appearance.” In general use, then, “transfigure” means “to change the outward appearance”; but the word in the Scriptures has become ennobled, having the sense, according to Webster, of “to change to something exalted and glorious; to give the ideal form to.” „ . Incidentally, when “transfigure is used in the Scriptures, it is a translation of the Greek word, metamorphoo. “I am metamorphosed,” or utterly changed with respect to form and substance, compounded of (meta), signifying “change,” and (morphe), “form, shape.” Trans-fig-ure is accented on the second syllable; sound a as in hat, and “figure.” “And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by theihselves; and he was transfigured before them.” (Mark 9:2.) ENSUE. To J.J.8.: This verb is used transitively (with an object) in the sense of “to pursue, to strive to overtake,” as, “Seek peace, and ensue it”; and intransitively (without an object) to mean “to come afterward, to result,” as, “The speech ended but no applause ensued.” The derivation is from the Latin insequi, “to follow upon,” compounded of in, “in or upon,” and sequi, “to follow.” En sue is accented on the second syllable; sound e as in end, ue as u in use. “Prohibition and its ensuing good effects may be ridiculed, but not deservedly.” i