change

I. verb (changed; changing) Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French changer, from Latin cambiare to exchange, probably of Celtic origin; akin to Old Irish camm crooked Date: 13th century transitive verb 1. a. to make different in some particular ; alter <

never bothered to change the will

> b. to make radically different ; transform <

can't change human nature

> c. to give a different position, course, or direction to 2. a. to replace with another <

let's change the subject

> b. to make a shift from one to another ; switch <

always changes sides in an argument

> c. to exchange for an equivalent sum of money (as in smaller denominations or in a foreign currency) <

change a 20-dollar bill

> d. to undergo a modification of <

foliage changing color

> e. to put fresh clothes or covering on <

change a bed

> intransitive verb 1. to become different <

her mood changes every hour

> 2. of the moon to pass from one phase to another 3. to shift one's means of conveyance ; transfer <

on the bus trip he had to change twice

> 4. of the voice to shift to lower register ; break 5. to undergo transformation, transition, or substitution <

winter changed to spring

> 6. to put on different clothes <

need a few minutes to change for dinner

> 7. exchange, switch <

neither liked his seat so they changed with each other

> • changer noun Synonyms: change, alter, vary, modify mean to make or become different. change implies making either an essential difference often amounting to a loss of original identity or a substitution of one thing for another <

changed the shirt for a larger size

>. alter implies a difference in some particular respect without suggesting loss of identity <

slightly altered the original design

>. vary stresses a breaking away from sameness, duplication, or exact repetition <

vary your daily routine

>. modify suggests a difference that limits, restricts, or adapts to a new purpose <

modified the building for use by the disabled

>. II. noun Date: 13th century 1. the act, process, or result of changing: as a. alteration <

a change in the weather

> b. transformation <

a time of vast social change

> <

going through changes

> c. substitution <

a change of scenery

> d. the passage of the moon from one monthly revolution to another; also the passage of the moon from one phase to another e. menopause 2. a fresh set of clothes 3. British exchange 5a 4. a. money in small denominations received in exchange for an equivalent sum in larger denominations b. money returned when a payment exceeds the amount due c. coins especially of low denominations <

a pocketful of change

> d. a negligible additional amount <

only six minutes and change left in the game

> e. money 1 <

cost a large chunk of change

> 5. an order in which a set of bells is struck in change ringing 6. changeup