1 a passing or change from one place, state, condition, etc., to another (an age of transition; a transition from plain to hills).
2 Mus. a momentary modulation.
3 Art a change from one style to another, esp. Archit. from Norman to Early English.
4 Physics a change in an atomic nucleus or orbital electron with emission or absorption of radiation.
Phrases and idioms:
transition element Chem. any of a set of elements in the periodic table characterized by partly filled d or f orbitals and the ability to form coloured complexes. transition point Physics the point at which different phases of the same substance can be in equilibrium.
Derivatives:
transitional adj. transitionally adv. transitionary adj.
Etymology: F transition or L transitio (as TRANSIT)
Useful english dictionary. 2012.