Definition of modify

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< modifier

Modigliani, Amedeo >

mod·i·fy    (md-f) KEY 

VERB:
mod·i·fied, mod·i·fy·ing, mod·i·fies
VERB:
tr.

1. To change in form or character; alter.
2. To make less extreme, severe, or strong: refused to modify her stand on the issue.
3. Grammar To qualify or limit the meaning of. For example, summer modifies day in the phrase a summer day.
4. Linguistics To change (a vowel) by umlaut.

VERB:
intr.

To be or become modified; change.

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ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English modifien, from Old French modifier, from Latin modificre, to measure, limit : modus, measure; see med- in Indo-European roots + -ficre, -fy

OTHER FORMS:
modi·fia·bili·ty(Noun), modi·fia·ble(Adjective)