01 v. t. To make otherwise; to change in some respect, either partially or wholly; to vary; to modify.
imp. & p. p.
Altered; p. pr. & vb. n.
Altering
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1.
To make otherwise; to change in some respect, either partially or wholly; to vary; to modify.“It gilds all objects, but it alters none.” — Pope.“My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips.” — Ps. lxxxix. 34.
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2.
To agitate; to affect mentally.[Obs.]
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3.
To geld.[Colloq.]
Syn.
Change, Alter.
Change is generic and the stronger term. It may express a loss of identity, or the substitution of one thing in place of another; alter commonly expresses a partial change, or a change in form or details without destroying identity.