1. To change, transform, make different, amend, modify, or vary: The blonde wig completely altered Laura's appearance and she said that she would also alter her dress.

When the woman lost weight, she had all of her clothes altered to fit her new figure.

2. To spay or to perform a medical operation on an animal; such as, a cat or a dog: Ted's dog was taken to the vet to be altered so she couldn't have any puppies.

The other "I" [ego].

An inseparable friend [your other self].

The idea is that an alter ego may be considered as speaking or acting for the other self within oneself.

1. Another side of oneself; a second self; or another aspect of one's self: The characters "Dr. Jekyll" and "Mr. Hyde" were alter egos in a literary tale of horror.
2. A very close and trusted friend who seems almost a part of someone's self: Leonard and Lance grew up together in the same neighborhood, went to the same elementary school, the same high school, and seemed to be alter egos among their friends at the college they both attended.
3. A second self; a perfect substitute or deputy: Jim's assistant manager acts as his alter ego when he is not in the office.
4. Etymology: from Latin alter, "other" + ego, "I, self". © ALL rights are reserved.

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the same self; another self

A description of a completely trustworthy friend, an alter ego both of which convey the same meaning.

Anyone who is your alter idem, or alter ego, is your inseparable friend.

Translation: "A friend is a second self."

Translation: "As if a second self."

Cicero used the expression, "as if a second self", to describe a completely trustworthy friend; such as, an alter ego, "other I" or alter idem, "another self" both of which are considered to be one's inseparable friend.

Translation: "When one is torn away, another is not wanted."

Motto of the Kingdom of Austria.