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Alter Al"ter, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Altered; p. pr. & vb. n. Altering.] [F. alt[ e]rer, LL. alterare, fr. L. alter other, alius other. Cf. Else, Other.] 1. To make otherwise; to change in some respect, either partially or wholly; to vary; to modify. ``To alter the king s course. ``To alter the condition of a man. ``No power in Venice can alter a decree. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

It gilds all objects, but it alters none. --Pope. [1913 Webster]

My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips. --Ps. lxxxix. 34. [1913 Webster]

2. To agitate; to affect mentally. [Obs.] --Milton. [1913 Webster]

3. To geld. [Colloq.] [1913 Webster]

Syn: Change, Alter.

Usage: Change is generic and the stronger term. It may express a loss of identity, or the substitution of one thing in place of another; alter commonly expresses a partial change, or a change in form or details without destroying identity. [1913 Webster]

Alter Al"ter, v. i. To become, in some respects, different; to vary; to change; as, the weather alters almost daily; rocks or minerals alter by exposure. ``The law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not. --Dan. vi. 8. [1913 Webster]