deform
Verb (transitive):
- To change the natural or original shape of something, often in a negative way: To cause something to become misshapen, distorted, or disfigured, typically through force, pressure, or a damaging process.
- To mar the appearance or form of something: To spoil the shape or structure, making it less perfect or attractive.
Verb (intransitive):
- To become misshapen or distorted: To undergo a change in shape, often due to external stress or force.
Transitive Verb (with an object):
- The intense heat deformed the plastic bottle. (The heat changed the bottle's shape.)
- The accident deformed the metal frame of the car. (The accident twisted the car's frame out of its proper shape.)
- Years of arthritis had deformed his hands. (The disease altered the natural shape of his hands.)
Intransitive Verb (without an object):
- The wooden beam deformed under the heavy weight. (The beam became bent or warped due to the weight.)
- Over time, the old records can deform if not stored properly. (The records can warp and lose their flat shape.)
In Physics/Materials Science: Refers to a change in the dimensions or shape of a material under stress (e.g., force, heat). The change can be temporary (elastic deformation) or permanent (plastic deformation).
- The engineer studied how the metal alloy deforms under extreme pressure.
Figurative Use: Can describe distorting or corrupting something abstract, like truth or an idea. (Note: This is a less common, extended meaning.)
- Propaganda can deform public perception of events. (It can twist or distort the truth.)
Deformation (noun): The act or result of deforming; a change in form.
- The bridge showed significant deformation after the earthquake.
Deformed (adjective): Having a distorted or abnormal shape.
- They found a deformed tree growing near the polluted river.
Deformity (noun): A condition of being deformed; a part of the body that is not formed correctly.
- The congenital deformity was corrected with surgery.
- Distort: To twist out of a normal shape or meaning.
- Contort: To twist or bend violently and unnaturally.
- Warp: To bend or twist out of shape, especially from a flat plane.
- Misshape: To shape badly; deform.
- Disfigure: To spoil the appearance of something or someone.
- Form: To give shape to; to create.
- Shape: To give a particular form to.
- Straighten: To make or become straight.
Plastic deformation: A permanent change in the shape of a material.
- When you bend a paperclip, it undergoes plastic deformation.
Elastic deformation: A temporary change in shape where the material returns to its original form when the stress is removed.
- A spring exhibits elastic deformation when stretched.
- assume a different shape or form
- alter the shape of (something) by stress
- His body was deformed by leprosy
- become misshapen
- The sidewalk deformed during the earthquake
- cause (a plastic object) to assume a crooked or angular form
- bend the rod
- twist the dough into a braid
- the strong man could turn an iron bar
- twist and press out of shape
- make formless
- the heat deformed the plastic sculpture