modify

• POS: Verb (usu participle), Verb (intransitive)
• HYPHEN: mod=i=fy

CIDE DICTIONARY

modify, v. t. [F. modifier, L. modificare, modificari; modus limit + -ficare (in comp.) to make. See Mode, and -fy.].

•  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]
•  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."  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

modify, v.tr. (-ies, -ied)
1 make less severe or extreme; tone down (modify one's demands).
2 make partial changes in; make different.
3 Gram. qualify or expand the sense of (a word etc.).
4 Phonet. change (a vowel) by umlaut.
5 Chem. change or replace all the substituent radicals of a polymer, thereby changing its physical properties such as solubility etc. (modified starch).

Derivative

modifiable adj. modificatory adj.

Etymology

ME f. OF modifier f. L modificare (as MODE)

THESAURUS

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

ROGET THESAURUS

modify

Difference

VB be different, differ, vary, ablude, mismatch, contrast, divaricate, differ toto coelo, differ longo intervallo, vary, modify, discriminate.

Change

VB change, alter, vary, wax and wane, modulate, diversify, qualify, tamper with, turn, shift, veer, tack, chop, shuffle, swerve, warp, deviate, turn aside, evert, intervert, pass to, take a turn, turn the corner, resume, work a change, modify, vamp, superinduce, transform, transfigure, transmute, transmogrify, transume, metamorphose, ring the changes, innovate, introduce new blood, shuffle the cards, give a turn to, give a color to, influence, turn the scale, shift the scene, turn over a new leaf, recast, reverse, disturb, convert into.

Qualification

VB qualify, limit, modify, leaven, give a color to, introduce new conditions, narrow, temper, waffle, quibble, hem and haw (be uncertain), equivocate (sophistry), depend, depend on, be contingent on (effect), allow for, make allowance for, admit exceptions, take into account, modulate, moderate, temper, season, leaven, take exception.