transliterate

[trans-lit-uh-reyt, tranz-] /trænsˈlɪt əˌreɪt, trænz-/
verb (used with object), transliterated, transliterating.
1.
to change (letters, words, etc.) into corresponding characters of another alphabet or language:
to transliterate the Greek Χ as ch.
Origin
1860-65; trans- + Latin līter(a) letter1 + -ate1
Related forms
transliteration, noun
transliterator, noun
Can be confused
translate, transliterate.
Examples from the web for transliterate
  • Demonstrate an ability to interpret or transliterate a significant portion of the message clearly.
  • Such interpreters can interpret or transliterate for both deaf and hearing people.
British Dictionary definitions for transliterate

transliterate

/trænzˈlɪtəˌreɪt/
verb
1.
(transitive) to transcribe (a word, etc, in one alphabet) into corresponding letters of another alphabet: the Greek word λογοσ can be transliterated as ``logos''
Derived Forms
transliteration, noun
transliterator, noun
Word Origin
C19: trans- + -literate, from Latin lītteraletter
Word Origin and History for transliterate
v.

"to write a word in the characters of another alphabet," 1861, apparently coined by German philologist Max Müller (1823-1900), from trans- "across" (see trans-) + Latin littera (also litera) "letter, character" (see letter).