Transforms first four orphans with some occasional diversion (6)

I believe the answer is:

morphs

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'transforms' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

I don't understand the rest of the clue.

(Other definitions for morphs that I've seen before include "Transforms" , "Changes smoothly by small gradual steps" , "Changes into something" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.

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