transignification

[ tran-sig-nuh-fi-key-shuhn ]

noun

, Theology.

1. (in the Eucharist) a change in the significance of the bread and wine to symbolize the body and blood of Christ.

Word History and Origins

Origin of transignification¹

First recorded in 1965–70; tran(s)- + signification

Example Sentences

The Pope's 1965 encyclical on the Eucharist was clearly directed against the theories of several Dutch theologians who had proposed to describe Christ's Real Presence in the bread and wine as transignification rather than transubstantiation.

From Time Magazine Archive

You state that the encyclical Mysterium Fidei "was clearly directed against Dutch theologians who had proposed to describe Christ's real presence in the bread and wine as transignification rather than tran-substantiation."

From Time Magazine Archive

But the Pope approved the use of "transignification" provided it did not mean a merely subjective sense of symbolism.

From Time Magazine Archive

The articles on the Eucharist in clude an explanation of the controversial new "transignification" theories some Dutch theologians.

From Time Magazine Archive

Wilkes-Barre, Pa. Sir: If the doctrine of transubstantiation is about to be jettisoned for the more enlightening concept of transignification, Anglicans and Roman Catholics may look for limited intercommunion in 1966�and perhaps even full intercommunion by 1970, which, after all, is the fourth centennial of their separation.

From Time Magazine Archive