alter-
(Latin: different, other, another; to change, to modify)
alter (ALW tur) (verb), alters; altered; altering
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.
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".
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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".
Go to this Word A Day Revisited Index
so you can see more of Mickey Bach's cartoons.
Alter ipse amicus. (Latin statement)
Translation: "A friend is a second self."
alterable (adjective), more alterable, most alterable
1. A reference to something that can be changed or adjusted: The dress that Ingrid bought was too long, but alterable, so the seamstress hemmed it up to the right length.
2. A penalty which was ordered by court and capable of being modified into one less drastic: Jim was hoping for an alterable punishment by the court of justice that was less severe than the one decided on first.
2. A penalty which was ordered by court and capable of being modified into one less drastic: Jim was hoping for an alterable punishment by the court of justice that was less severe than the one decided on first.
1. The act or procedure of becoming different.
2. A condition resulting from a modification.
3. An event that occurs when something passes from one condition or phase to a another one.
2. A condition resulting from a modification.
3. An event that occurs when something passes from one condition or phase to a another one.
A medicine or treatment which gradually induces a change and restores healthy functions.
alterative (adjective), more alterative, most alterative
A reference to gradually changing, or tending to change, a morbid condition of an illness of a person into one of normal health.
altercate (AL tuhr kayt") (verb), altercates; altercated; altercating
1. To conduct a heated argument; to argue intensely: Julia's two daughters altercated about who would sit in the front seat of the car on their way to go shopping with their mother, who decided to have both girls sit in the back!
2. Disagreeing about something: Greg’s parents were altercating about when it would be best to go on vacation, before or after Christmas.
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2. Disagreeing about something: Greg’s parents were altercating about when it would be best to go on vacation, before or after Christmas.
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1. A vehement, heated, or angry dispute: The two youths got into an altercation on the playground while they were playing soccer.
2. A noisy argument or controversy: The verbal altercation which Alex observed did not appear to be aggressive so he didn't try to intervene.
3. Etymology: from Latin altercari "to dispute (with another)"; from alter, "other".
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© ALL rights are reserved.
Go to this Word A Day Revisited Index
2. A noisy argument or controversy: The verbal altercation which Alex observed did not appear to be aggressive so he didn't try to intervene.
3. Etymology: from Latin altercari "to dispute (with another)"; from alter, "other".
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A condition of the mind that differs from the normal state of consciousness: An altered state is typically one that is caused by drugs, hypnosis, or mental disorders.
1. An identification with people who have a similar personality to one's own.
2. Interest and sympathy for those who are in the same situation as, or are otherwise, similar to one's self.
2. Interest and sympathy for those who are in the same situation as, or are otherwise, similar to one's self.
Alteri, si tibi. (Latin phrase)
Translation: "To another, as if to thyself."
1. An adjustment of a garment so it will fit better.
2. A spaying or the sterilization of an animal; such as, a cat or a dog: Tom's two cats had an altering so they could not have kittens because it would be too difficult to find homes for them.
3. Something that has been changed by making it different; a transformation of someone or something.
2. A spaying or the sterilization of an animal; such as, a cat or a dog: Tom's two cats had an altering so they could not have kittens because it would be too difficult to find homes for them.
3. Something that has been changed by making it different; a transformation of someone or something.
A situation in which one is being different than other people.
1. One and then the other; every other, successive: Each of the two druggists works on alternate Sundays.
The awning had alternate red and white stripes.
2. A reference to a substitute or backup: If the main road is closed, Jim was told by his friend to take an alternate route when he comes to visit.