To change the position or order of something, especially to move elements from one place to another. In music, it means to change a piece to a different key.
From Latin 'trans-' (across) + 'ponere' (to place) → 'transponere' meaning 'to place across or transfer.' The word passed through Old French 'transposer' before entering Middle English, maintaining the core meaning of moving something from one position to another.
Notice how 'transpose' literally means 'to place across' - when you transpose music from C major to G major, you're placing the same melody 'across' to a different key! It shares this spatial concept with 'deposit' (placing down) and 'expose' (placing out in the open).
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.