- change
- change [chānj]vt.changed, changing [ME changen < OFr changier < LL cambiare < L cambire, to exchange, barter < Celt (as in OIr camb) < IE base * kamb-, to bend, crook (> Welsh cam, Bret kamm, crooked)]1. to put or take (a thing) in place of something else; substitute for, replace with, or transfer to another of a similar kind [to change one's clothes, to change jobs]2. to give and receive reciprocally; exchange; switch [let's change seats]3.a) to cause to become different; alter; transform; convert [success changed him]b) to undergo a variation of [leaves change color]4. to give or receive the equivalent of (a coin or bank note) in currency of lower denominations or in foreign money5. to put a fresh, replacement covering, as a diaper or bedclothes, onvi.1.a) to become different; alter; vary [the scene changes]b) to undergo alteration or replacement2. to pass from one phase to another, as the moon3. to become lower in range: said specif. of the male voice at puberty4. to leave one train, bus, etc. and board another5. to put on other clothes6. to make an exchangen.1. the act or process of substitution, alteration, or variation2. absence of monotony; variety3. something that is or may be substituted; something of the same kind but new or fresh4. another set of clothes, esp. a fresh set to put on5.a) money returned as the difference between the price of something bought and the bill or coin of larger denomination given in paymentb) a number of coins or bills whose total value equals a single larger coin or billc) small coins6. a place where merchants meet to do business; exchange: also written 'change7. [usually pl.] Bell Ringing any pattern or order in which the bells may be rung——————change offto take turns——————ring the changes1. to ring a set of bells with all possible variations2. to do or say a thing in many and various ways——————the changeInformal MENOPAUSESYN.- CHANGE denotes a making or becoming distinctly different and implies either a radical transmutation of character or replacement with something else [I'll change my shoes ]; ALTER implies a partial change, as in appearance, so that the identity is preserved [to alter a garment ]; VARY suggests irregular or intermittent change [to vary one's reading ]; MODIFY implies minor change, often so as to limit or moderate [to modify the language of a report ]; TRANSFORM implies a change in form and now, usually, in nature or function [to transform matter into energy ]; CONVERT suggests more strongly change to suit a new function [to convert a barn into a house ]
English World dictionary. V. Neufeldt. 2014.