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alter

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The definition of alter means to make something different without completely changing it.

(verb)

An example of alter is to cut a few inches off the bottom of a dress to make it shorter.

See alter in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb

to make different in details but not in substance; modify
to resew parts of (a garment) for a better fit
☆ to castrate or spay

Origin: ME alteren < ML alterare < L alter, other < IE *al- (see else) + -tero-, compar. suffix

intransitive verb

to become different; change; vary

Related Forms:

alterable adjective

See alter in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb al·tered, al·ter·ing, al·ters

verb, transitive

To change or make different; modify: altered my will.
To adjust (a garment) for a better fit.
To castrate or spay (an animal, such as a cat or a dog).

verb, intransitive

To change or become different.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English alteren

Origin: , from Old French alterer

Origin: , from Medieval Latin alterāre

Origin: , from Latin alter, other; see al-¹ in Indo-European roots

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