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Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary al·ter \\ˈȯl-tər\\ verb ( al·tered ; al·ter·ing \\-t(ə-)riŋ\\) ETYMOLOGY Middle English, from Medieval Latin alterare, from Latin alter other (of two); akin to Latin alius other — more at else
DATE 14th century
transitive verb1. to make different without changing into something else2. castrate , spay intransitive verb: to become different Synonyms: see change • al·ter·abil·i·ty \\ˌȯl-t(ə-)rə-ˈbi-lə-tē\\ noun• al·ter·able \\ˈȯl-t(ə-)rə-bəl\\ adjective• al·ter·ably \\-blē\\ adverb• al·ter·er \\-tər-ər\\ noun
alter late 14 c., "to change (something)," from O.Fr
http://O.Fr . alterer, from M.L. alterare "to change," from L. alter "the other (of the two)," from PIE *al- "beyond" + comp. suffix -ter ( cf. other). Intransitive sense "to become otherwise" first recorded 1580s.
Oxford Collocations Dictionary for Students of English Oxford Collocations dictionary for students of Englishalter
verb ADV. considerably, dramatically, drastically, fundamentally, greatly, radically, significantly, substantially He had not altered greatly in the last ten years. | slightly PHRASES not alter the fact that Unemployment has come down slightly but this does not alter the fact that it is still a major problem. Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary-牛津双解-OALD7 ☞ alter
alter / 5C:ltE(r) / verb1. to become different; to make sb / sth different
(使)改变,更改,改动:
▪ [V]
Prices did not alter significantly during 2004.
2004 年期间,价格没有大的变化。
He had altered so much I scarcely recognized him.
他变得我几乎认不出来了。
▪ [VN]
It doesn't alter the way I feel.
这并没有改变我的感受。
Nothing can alter the fact that we are to blame.
什么也改变不了我们要受指责这个事实。
The landscape has been radically altered, severely damaging wildlife.
地貌彻底改变,严重损害了野生动物。
2. [VN] to make changes to a piece of clothing so that it will fit you better
修改(衣服使更合身)
alter verb
⇨ change 1 (It doesn't alter the way I feel.) ⇨ change 2 (He had not altered much in ten years.) Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged al·terI. \ˈȯltə(r)\ verb( altered ; altered ; altering \ˈȯltəriŋ, ˈȯl.triŋ\ ; alters) Etymology: Middle English alteren, from Middle French alterer, from Medieval Latin alterare, from Latin alter other (of two); akin to Latin alius other — more at else transitive verb1. : to cause to become different in some particular characteristic (as measure, dimension, course, arrangement, or inclination) without changing into something else < to the extent of a monosyllable the text has here been altered — J.B.Cabell & A.J.Hanna > < preserve it as it is or … alter it out of all recognition — Aldous Huxley >2. archaic : to affect mentally : agitate < the altered mood of terror >3. : to castrate or spay (as a domestic mammal) intransitive verb: to become different in some respect : undergo change usually without resulting difference in essential nature < the old witch had not altered by a wrinkle in twenty years — Compton Mackenzie > < people themselves alter so much that there is something new to be observed in them for ever — Jane Austen > < customs that must alter with every new invention — Herbert Agar >Synonyms: see change II. \ˈȯltə(r) also ˈäl- sometimes ˈal-\ adjectiveor al·te·rum \-tərəm, -ˌru̇m\ Etymology: Latin : other — used of something that is distinguished from the ego or especially of other persons as contrasted with the ego
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