modify

modify
—modifiable, adj. —modifiability, modifiableness, n.
/mod"euh fuy'/, v., modified, modifying.
v.t.
1. to change somewhat the form or qualities of; alter partially; amend: to modify a contract.
2. Gram. (of a word, phrase, or clause) to stand in a syntactically subordinate relation to (another word, phrase, or clause), usually with descriptive, limiting, or particularizing meaning; be a modifier. In a good man, good modifies man.
3. to be the modifier or attribute of.
4. to change (a vowel) by umlaut.
5. to reduce or lessen in degree or extent; moderate; soften: to modify one's demands.
v.i.
6. to be or become modified.
[1350-1400; ME modifien < MF modifier < L modificare to impose a rule or pattern, regulate, restrain. See MODE1, -IFY]
Syn. 1. vary, adjust, shape, reform. 5. MODIFY, QUALIFY, TEMPER suggest altering an original statement, condition, or the like, so as to avoid anything excessive or extreme. To MODIFY is to alter in one or more particulars, generally in the direction of leniency or moderation: to modify demands, rates. To QUALIFY is to restrict or limit by exceptions or conditions: to qualify one's praise, hopes. To TEMPER is to alter the quality of something, generally so as to diminish its force or harshness: to temper one's criticism with humor.

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Universalium. 2010.

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  • Modify — Mod i*fy, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Modified}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Modifying}.] [F. modifier, L. modificare, modificari; modus limit + ficare (in comp.) to make. See {Mode}, and { fy}.] 1. To change somewhat the form or qualities of; to change a part of… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • modify — [v1] alter, change adapt, adjust, become, convert, correct, customize, doctor, mutate, recast, redo, refashion, reform, remodel, reorganize, repair, reshape, revise, rework, shift gears*, switch over, transfigure, transform, transmogrify,… …   New thesaurus

  • modify — [mäd′ə fī΄] vt. modified, modifying [ME modifien < MFr < L modificare, to limit, regulate < modus, measure (see MODE) + facere, to make: see DO1] 1. to change or alter; esp., to change slightly or partially in character, form, etc. 2. to …   English World dictionary

  • modify — (v.) late 14c., from O.Fr. modifier (14c.), from L. modificare to limit, measure off, restrain, from modus measure, manner (see MODE (Cf. mode) (n.1)) + root of facere to make (see FACTITIOUS (Cf. factitious)). Related: Modified; …   Etymology dictionary

  • modify — *change, alter, vary Analogous words: temper, *moderate, qualify: *transform, convert, metamorphose, transmogrify …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • modify — ► VERB (modifies, modified) ▪ make partial changes to. ORIGIN Latin modificare, from modus measure …   English terms dictionary

  • modify — verb ADVERB ▪ considerably, drastically, extensively, greatly, heavily, profoundly, radically, significantly, substantially ▪ Th …   Collocations dictionary

  • Modify — Filmdaten Deutscher Titel: Modify Originaltitel: Modify Produktionsland: USA Erscheinungsjahr: 2005 Länge: 85 Minuten Originalsprache: englisch …   Deutsch Wikipedia

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