modify: Meaning and Definition of

mod•i•fy

Pronunciation: (mod'u-fī"), [key]
— v., -fied, -fy•ing.
—v.t.
  1. to change somewhat the form or qualities of; alter partially; amend: to modify a contract.
  2. (of a word, phrase, or clause) to stand in a syntactically subordinate relation to (another word, phrase, or clause), usually with descriptive, limiting, or particularizing meaning; be a modifier. In a good man, good modifies man.
  3. to be the modifier or attribute of.
  4. to change (a vowel) by umlaut.
  5. to reduce or lessen in degree or extent; moderate; soften: to modify one's demands.
—v.i.
  1. to be or become modified.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
See also: