The act of changing something into something different in essential characteristics.

Roget 146: revolution, bouleversement, subversion, break up; destruction etc. 162; sudden change, radical change, sweeping organic change; change of state, phase change; quantum leap, quantum jump; clean sweep, coup d'etat [Fr.], counter revolution.    jump, leap, plunge, jerk, start, transilience^†; explosion; spasm, convulsion, throe, revulsion; storm, earthquake, cataclysm.    legerdemain etc. (trick) 545.    ... show more

Roget 144: conversion, reduction, transmutation, resolution, assimilation; evolution, sea change; change of state; assumption; naturalization; transportation; development [Biol.], developing.    [photography] [conversion of currency] conversion of currency, exchange of currency; exchange rate; bureau de change.    chemistry, alchemy; progress, growth, lapse, flux.    passage; transit, transition; transmigration, shifting etc. v.; phase; conjugation; convertibility.    crucible, alembic, caldron, retort.    convert, pervert, renegade, apostate.    ... show more