Note: Trans Form is the title of the one-woman show I’m working on, which will go up the second weekend of December in Chicago. I’m considering having little definition explanations throughout the show – because right now I really have no through-line or arc – as a way of linking pieces together.

Trans (prefix)

1. Used with the meanings “across,” “beyond,” “through,” “changing thoroughly”
2. Chemistry. a prefix denoting a geometric isomer having a pair of identical atoms or groups on the opposite sides of two atoms linked by a double bond

Trans (noun)

1. A truncated version of transgender or transexual individual
2. An umbrella term referring to those who are differently gendered

“She identifies as trans because she identifies as a woman, even though she was assigned ‘boy’ at birth.”

Form (noun)

1. The shape of a thing or person
2. A body, esp. that of a human being
3. A standardized document to be filled out my
4. Procedure or conduct, as judged by social standards

“It is considered poor form to refer to a trans woman – some who identifies as female – as a man. Also, it means you’re a rude jerk.”

Transform (verb; used with an object)

1. To change in form, appearance, or structure; metamorphose.
2. To change in condition, nature, or character; convert.
3. To change into another substance; transmute.

“Now that I’ve come out as trans, I’m thinking I need to transform my wardrobe. Not to mention my hair. And Facebook profile.”

Trans Form (compound noun)

1. The shape or body of a transgender or transsexual person
2. The manner or style of being trans

“My trans form has a penis and breasts. Why yes, the sex is fantastic. Thanks for asking.”

Transition (noun)

1. Movement, passage, or change from one position, state, stage, subject, concept, etc., to another; change
2. A passage from one scene to another by sound effects, music, etc., as in a television program, theatrical production, or the like.
3. The term used to describe a transsexual person’s journey from appearing as their assigned to their identified sex; often includes hormones and/or surgery of some kind

“I’m transitioning, and it’s expensive: hormones (about $100 a month), doctors visits (covered until my insurance runs out next year), hair removal ($4,000 so far)…”

Translate (verb)

1. To turn from one language into another or from a foreign language into one’s own
2. To explain in terms that can be more easily understood; interpret

“When I said, ‘She was exercising cis privilege in a transphobic fashion, not to mention engaging in oppositional sexism,’ I needed to translate for my friend not versed in trans and gender theory.

Transitive Property (mathematics)

1. A property of mathematics by which, if element a is related to an element b, and b is in turn related to an element c, then a is also related to c

“Because Alice and Bob were both trans, Carl assumed they felt the same about surgery and hormones. Unfortunately, the transitive property doesn’t work like that.”