transfer

Definition of transfer

Pronunciation

• (verb)
  (RP): /trɑːnzˈfɜː/, /trA:nz"f3:/ or /trænzˈfɜː/, /tr{nz"f3:/
  (US): trănzfûrʹ, /trænzˈfɝ/, /tr{nz"f3`/
• (noun)
  (RP): /ˈtrɑːnzfɜː/, /"trA:nzf3:/ or /ˈtrænzfɜː/, /"tr{nzf3:/
  (US): trănzʹfûr, /ˈtrænzfɝ/, /"tr{nzf3`/

Etymology

From Latin trānsferō ("I bear across").

Verb

to transfer (third-person singular simple present transfers, present participle transferring, simple past and past participle transferred)

1. (transitive) To move or pass from one place, person or thing to another.
2. (transitive) To convey the impression of (something) from one surface to another.
3. (intransitive) To be or become transferred.
4. (transitive) (law) To arrange for something to officially belong to or be controlled by somebody else.

Synonyms

• (move or pass from one place/person/thing to another): carry over, move, onpass
• (convey impression of from one surface to another): copy, transpose

Noun

transfer (countable and uncountable; plural transfers)

1. (uncountable) The act of conveying or removing something from one place, person or thing to another.
2. (countable) An instance of conveying or removing from one place, person or thing to another; a transferal.
3. (countable) A design conveyed by contact from one surface to another; a heat transfer.

Synonyms

• (act): transferal, transference
• (instance): transferal

Usage notes

• In the United Kingdom education system the noun is used to define a move from one school to another, for example from primary school to secondary school. Contrast with transition which is used to define any move within or between schools, for example, a move from one year group to the next.