transmigrate

[ trans-mahy-greyt, tranz- ]

verb (used without object)

, trans·mi·grat·ed, trans·mi·grat·ing.

1. to move or pass from one place to another.
2. to migrate from one country to another in order to settle there.
3. (of the soul) to be reborn after death in another body.

verb (used with object)

, trans·mi·grat·ed, trans·mi·grat·ing.

1. to cause to transmigrate, as a soul; transfer.

transmigrate

/ ˌtrænzmaɪˈɡreɪt /

verb

1. to move from one place, state, or stage to another
2. (of souls) to pass from one body into another at death

Derived Forms

• ˌtransmiˈgrational, adjective
• transˈmigrative, adjective
• ˌtransmiˈgrator, noun
• transˈmigratory, adjective
• ˌtransmiˈgration, noun

Other Words From

• trans·migra·tor noun
• trans·mi·gra·to·ry [trans-, mahy, -gr, uh, -tawr-ee, -tohr-ee, tranz-], trans·migra·tive adjective
• untrans·migrated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of transmigrate¹

1400–50; late Middle English < Latin trānsmigrātus (past participle of trānsmigrāre to depart, migrate). See trans-, migrate

Example Sentences

This helped convince Pythagoras that all souls—including those of animals—transmigrated to other bodies after death.

From Literature

In this sparkling screwball comedy, Lily Tomlin’s soul transmigrates into Steve Martin’s body.

From Washington Post

Whether the soul of Georges transmigrated is a matter for metaphysicians.

From BBC

She does suggest that Jacob might be a "gilgul neshamot", a transmigrated Jewish soul, with a demonic mission "to derail the righteous and lead them into various temptations".

From The Guardian

The natives worshiped idols, believed in transmigrated existence after death, and performed religious ceremonies in groves and woods.

From Scientific American