noun
a modifying or being modified; specif.,
- a partial or slight change in form
- a product of such a change
- a slight reduction; moderation
- a qualification or limitation of meaning
- Biol. a change in an organism caused by its environment and not inheritable
- Linguis. a change in the form of a morpheme (Ex.: foot, feet; bath, bathe)
Origin:
MFr < L modificatio < pp. of modificare: see modify