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Expand vs Transform - What's the difference?

expand | transform |

As verbs the difference between expand and transform

is that expand is (label) to change (something) from a smaller form and/or size to a larger one while transform is to change greatly the appearance or form of.

As a noun transform is

(mathematics) the result of a transformation.

expand

English

Verb

(en verb)
  • (label) To change (something) from a smaller form and/or size to a larger one.
  • (label) To increase the extent, number, volume or scope of (something).
  • * (John Milton) (1608-1674)
  • Then with expanded wings he steers his flight.
  • (label) To express (something) at length and/or in detail.
  • To rewrite (an expression) as a longer, yet equivalent sum of terms.
  • To multiply both the numerator and the denominator of a fraction by the same natural number yielding a fraction of equal value
  • (label) To (be) change(d) from a smaller form/size to a larger one.
  • (label) To (be) increase(d) in extent, number, volume or scope.
  • (label) To speak or write at length or in detail.
  • *{{quote-book, year=1899, author=(Stephen Crane)
  • , title=, chapter=1 , passage=There was some laughter, and Roddle was left free to expand his ideas on the periodic visits of cowboys to the town. “Mason Rickets, he had ten big punkins a-sittin' in front of his store, an' them fellers from the Upside-down-F ranch shot 'em up […].”}}
  • (label) To feel generous or optimistic.
  • Synonyms

    * open out, spread, spread out, unfold * enlarge * (to express at length or in detail) elaborate (on), expand on

    Antonyms

    * contract * contract * factor

    Derived terms

    * expandable * expander

    transform

    English

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To change greatly the appearance or form of.
  • The alchemists sought to transform lead into gold.
  • * Shakespeare
  • Love may transform me to an oyster.
  • * {{quote-magazine, year=2012, month=March-April
  • , author= , title=Well-connected Brains , volume=100, issue=2, page=171 , magazine=(American Scientist) citation , passage=Creating a complete map of the human connectome would therefore be a monumental milestone but not the end of the journey to understanding how our brains work. The achievement will transform neuroscience and serve as the starting point for asking questions we could not otherwise have answered, […].}}
  • To change the nature, condition or function of; to change in nature, disposition, heart, character, etc.; to convert.
  • * Bible, Romans xii. 2
  • Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.
  • (mathematics) To subject to a transformation; to change into another form without altering the value.
  • (electricity) To subject to the action of a transformer.
  • (genetics) To subject (a cell) to transformation.
  • To undergo a transformation.
  • Synonyms

    * (change greatly the appearance or form of) alter, change, convert, make over, transmogrify * (sense) alter, change * (undergo a transformation) alter, change

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (mathematics) the result of a transformation
  • Derived terms

    * Fourier transform