al|ter

al|ter « tuhr», transitive verb.

1. to make different; change the appearance of; vary: »

If this coat is too large, a tailor can alter it to fit you.

SYNONYM(S): modify.

2. U.S. and Australia. a) to castrate (a male animal). b) to spay (a female animal).

–v.i.

to become different: »

Since her trip to Europe, her whole outlook has altered.

SYNONYM(S): See syn. under change. (Cf. ↑change)

╂[< Middle French altérer, learned borrowing from Late Latin alterāre < Latin alter other]

alter.,

alteration.