The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Transfigure \Trans*fig"ure\ (?; 135), v. t. [imp. & p. p.
   Transfigured; p. pr. & vb. n. Transfiguring.] [F.
   transfigurer, L. transfigurare, transfiguratum; trans across,
   over + figurare to form, shape. See Figure, v. t.]
   1. To change the outward form or appearance of; to
      metamorphose; to transform.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. Especially, to change to something exalted and glorious;
      to give an ideal form to.
      [1913 Webster]

            [Jesus] was transfigured before them; and his face
            did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as
            the light.                            --Matt. xvii.
                                                  2.
      [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

transfigure
    v 1: elevate or idealize, in allusion to Christ's
         transfiguration [syn: transfigure, glorify,
         spiritualize]
    2: change completely the nature or appearance of; "In Kafka's
       story, a person metamorphoses into a bug"; "The treatment and
       diet transfigured her into a beautiful young woman"; "Jesus
       was transfigured after his resurrection" [syn:
       metamorphose, transfigure, transmogrify]

Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0:

47 Moby Thesaurus words for "transfigure":
   acculturate, advance, ameliorate, amend, better, boost,
   bring forward, change, civilize, commute, convert, edify, educate,
   elevate, emend, enhance, enlighten, enrich, fatten, favor, forward,
   foster, go straight, improve, improve upon, lard, lift,
   make an improvement, meliorate, mend, metabolize, metamorphose,
   nurture, promote, raise, refine upon, reform, socialize,
   straighten out, transform, translate, transmogrify, transmute,
   transpose, transubstantiate, upgrade, uplift