alter

verb

1. (ambitransitive)To change the form or structure of.

   “Near-synonym: tweak”

   “No power in Venice can alter a decree.”

   “Lou's not Times foole, though roſie lips and cheeks VVithin his bending ſickles compaſſe come, Loue alters not with his breefe houres and vveekes, But beares it out euen to the edge of doome: If this be error and vpon me proued, I neuer vvrit, nor no man euer loued.”

   “My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips.”

   “It gilds all objects, but it alters none.”

2. (intransitive)To become different.

   “[…] Passing the song of the hermit bird and the tallying song of my soul, / Victorious song, death’s outlet song, yet varying ever-altering song, […]”

3. (transitive)To tailor clothes to make them fit.
4. (transitive)To castrate, neuter or spay (a dog or other animal).
5. (transitive)To affect mentally, as by psychotropic drugs or illness.

   “We don't know if he was altered on alcohol or drugs or anything […]”

noun

1. One of the personalities, identities, or selves in a person with dissociative identity disorder or another form of multiplicity.

   “While the second goal would be best met if each alter were coconscious, the defendant should be satisfied if at least one competent alter is present to hear what transpires.”

2. (alt-of, misspelling)Misspelling of altar.

   “As an alter boy he remembered that walking between the alter and the gates was prohibited for everyone except the priest.”

   “The hardest part of being an alter boy was learning Latin. The mass was conducted in Latin and we had to learn to pray in Latin.”

   “On the alter, several candles sat unlit. An open bible rested among the candles. Behind the alter, hanging high, a huge cross was affixed to the wall, with a replica of Jesus in rags nailed to it. A simple wooden door stood closed behind the alter […]”

   “Truth motioned to Alexandra, “There; the key is kept on the alter.” She spotted it easily, for it was now well lighted by an amber colored presence light. She and the others moved quickly toward the alter.”

   “Third-rate alter boy. Skinny, lousy face, brown hair with a cowlick as big as Sputtnik. So as not to go on about it, I can put it in one word: Butt-ugly.”