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 something while leaving most parts unchanged; to
alter somewhat; as, to modify a contrivance adapted to
some mechanical purpose; to modify the terms of a
contract.
[1913 Webster]
2. To limit or reduce in extent or degree; to moderate; to
qualify; to lower.
[1913 Webster]
Of his grace
He modifies his first severe decree. --Dryden.
[1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
modify
v 1: make less severe or harsh or extreme; "please modify this
letter to make it more polite"; "he modified his views
on same-gender marriage"
2: add a modifier to a constituent [syn: qualify]
3: cause to change; make different; cause a transformation;
"The advent of the automobile may have altered the growth
pattern of the city"; "The discussion has changed my
thinking about the issue" [syn: change, alter]
[also: modified]
WordNet (r) 2.0
111 Moby Thesaurus words for "modify":
abate, accommodate, adapt, adjust, adjust to, alter, ameliorate,
amend, analyze, anatomize, assuage, atomize, better, box in,
break up, change, chop logic, circumscribe, condition, convert,
decrease, deform, denature, desynonymize, difference,
differentiate, diminish, discriminate, disequalize, disjoin,
distinguish, diversify, divide, fit, hedge, hedge about, improve,
individualize, individuate, leaven, lessen, limit, lower,
make a distinction, mark, mark off, mark out, meliorate, mitigate,
moderate, modulate, mutate, narrow, overthrow, palliate,
particularize, personalize, qualify, re-create, realign, rebuild,
reconstruct, redesign, redo, reduce, refashion,
refine a distinction, refit, reform, regulate by, remake, remodel,
renew, reorganize, reorient, reshape, restrain, restrict,
restructure, revamp, revise, revive, reword, rework,
ring the changes, season, segregate, separate, set apart,
set conditions, set limits, set off, sever, severalize,
shift the scene, shuffle the cards, soften, specialize,
split hairs, subvert, temper, tone down, transform, turn,
turn the scale, turn the tables, turn the tide, turn upside down,
vary, work a change, worsen
Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0
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