■ verb ( modifies , ~ing , modified )
1》 make partial changes to.
↘ Biology transform (a structure) during development or evolution.
↘ Phonetics pronounce (a speech sound) differently from the norm.
2》 Grammar qualify the sense of (a noun).
Derivatives
modifiable adjective
modificatory adjective
Origin
ME: from OFr. modifier , from L. modificare , from modus (see mode ).