əˈjəst verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: French ajuster (formerly also adjuster ), from a- (from Latin ad- ) + juste right, exact — more at just
transitive verb
1.
a.
(1) : to bring to a more satisfactory state
will not adjust their immigration policies for the empire — D.W.Brogan
: settle , resolve
orderly ways of adjusting conflicts
: rectify
adjusting the error
(2) : to determine the amount to be paid under an insurance policy in settlement of (a loss)
agents who adjust losses
b.
(1) : to make correspondent or conformable : adapt
adjust the books to include these unrecorded data — R.B.Kester
he adjusted his argument to meet the opposition
(2) : to achieve an orientation of (oneself or itself) : accustom
writers adjusting themselves to the demands of the “new order” — Times Literary Supplement
plants adjust themselves to many influences — Encyc. Americana
: satisfy mental and behavioral needs of (oneself)
characters who … adjust themselves better … in the army — Robert Lowry
2. : to put in order : reduce to a system : regulate
adjust one's daily schedule to leave time for everything
3.
a.
(1) : to bring to a true or effective relative position (as the parts of a device)
adjust a carburetor
(2) : to rearrange the relationship of components of (a watch movement) after complete assembly for improving performance with respect to temperature, positional, or balance-arc variations — distinguished from regulate
b. : to change the position of (as for better fit or appearance)
adjusting his hat on his head
adjusting the pillows on the couch
4.
a. : to change the range and direction of (as an artillery piece) so as to move the center of impact of fire onto the target
b. : to send to (the firing unit) the information necessary to make changes in range and direction
intransitive verb
1. : to come into conformity : adapt itself
these groups … adjust freely to the opportunities of American life — Oscar Handlin
: resolve itself : become settled
differences have adjusted easily — R.H.Jackson
2. : to achieve a harmonious mental and behavioral balance between one's own personal needs and strivings and the demands of other individuals and of society
Synonyms: see adapt