transubstantiation Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the Roman Catholic doctrine that the whole substance of the bread and the wine changes into the substance of the body and blood of Christ when consecrated in the Eucharist
  2. noun an act that changes the form or character or substance of something
    transmutation.

WordNet

Tran`sub*stan`ti*a"tion noun
Etymology
LL. transubstantiatio: cf. F. transsubstantiation.
Definitions
  1. A change into another substance.
  2. (R. C. Theol.) The doctrine held by Roman Catholics, that the bread and wine in the Mass is converted into the body and blood of Christ; -- distinguished from consubstantiation, and impanation.

Webster 1913