[change] vb changed ; chang.ing [ME, fr. OF changier, fr. L cambiare to exchange, prob. of Celt origin; akin to OIr camm crooked] vt (13c) 1 a: to make different in some particular: alter "never bothered to ~ the will" b: to make radically different: transform "can't ~ human nature" c: to give a different position, course, or direction to
2. a: to replace with another "let's ~ the subject" b: to make a shift from one to another: switch "always ~s sides in an argument" c: to exchange for an equivalent sum or comparable item d: to undergo a modification of "foliage changing color" e: to put fresh clothes or covering on "~ a bed" ~ vi 1: to become different "her mood ~s every hour"
2. of the moon: to pass from one phase to another
3: to shift one's means of conveyance: transfer "on the bus trip he had to ~ twice"
4. of the voice: to shift to lower register: break
5: to undergo transformation, transition, or substitution "winter changed to spring"
6: to put on different clothes 7: exchange, switch "neither liked his seat so they changed with each other" -- chang.er n -- change hands : to pass from the possession of one owner to that of another "money changes hands many times" syn change, alter, vary, modify mean to make or become different. change implies making either an essential difference often amounting to a loss of original identity or a substitution of one thing for another "changed the shirt for a larger size". alter implies a difference in some particular respect without suggesting loss of identity "slightly altered the original design". vary stresses a breaking away from sameness, duplication, or exact repetition "vary your daily routine". modify suggests a difference that limits, restricts, or adapts to a new purpose "modified the building for use by the handicapped".
[2]change n (13c) 1: the act, process, or result of changing: as a: alteration "a ~ in the weather" b: transformation "a time of vast social ~" "going through ~s" c: substitution "a ~ of scenery" d: the passage of the moon from one monthly revolution to another; also: the passage of the moon from one phase to another
2: a fresh set of clothes 3 Brit: exchange 5a
4. a: money in small denominations received in exchange for an equivalent sum in larger denominations b: money returned when a payment exceeds the amount due c: coins esp. of low denominations "a pocketful of ~" d: a negligible additional amount "only six minutes and ~ left in the game"
5: an order in which a set of bells is struck in change ringing
6: change-up