ALTERATION

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does alteration mean? 

• ALTERATION (noun)
  The noun ALTERATION has 3 senses:

1. an event that occurs when something passes from one state or phase to another

2. the act of making something different (as e.g. the size of a garment)

3. the act of revising or altering (involving reconsideration and modification)

  Familiarity information: ALTERATION used as a noun is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• ALTERATION (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

An event that occurs when something passes from one state or phase to another

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural events

Synonyms:

alteration; change; modification

Context example:

the neighborhood had undergone few modifications since his last visit years ago

Hypernyms ("alteration" is a kind of...):

happening; natural event; occurrence; occurrent (an event that happens)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "alteration"):

increase (a change resulting in an increase)

loss of consciousness (the occurrence of a loss of the ability to perceive and respond)

easing; moderation; relief (a change for the better)

deformation (alteration in the shape or dimensions of an object as a result of the application of stress to it)

transition (a change from one place or state or subject or stage to another)

shift; transformation; transmutation (a qualitative change)

scintillation; sparkling; twinkle (a rapid change in brightness; a brief spark or flash)

play; shimmer (a weak and tremulous light)

transmutation ((physics) the change of one chemical element into another (as by nuclear decay or radioactive bombardment))

damage; harm; impairment (the occurrence of a change for the worse)

development (a recent event that has some relevance for the present situation)

revolution (a drastic and far-reaching change in ways of thinking and behaving)

chromosomal mutation; genetic mutation; mutation ((genetics) any event that changes genetic structure; any alteration in the inherited nucleic acid sequence of the genotype of an organism)

sex change (a change in a person's physical sexual characteristics (as by surgery and hormone treatments))

destabilization (an event that causes a loss of equilibrium (as of a ship or aircraft))

decrease; drop-off; lessening (a change downward)

death; decease; expiry (the event of dying or departure from life)

conversion (a change of religion)

fluctuation; variation (an instance of change; the rate or magnitude of change)

vagary (an unexpected and inexplicable change in something (in a situation or a person's behavior, etc.))

breakup; detachment; separation (coming apart)

birth; nascence; nascency; nativity (the event of being born)

surprise (a sudden unexpected event)

sublimation ((psychology) modifying the natural expression of an impulse or instinct (especially a sexual one) to one that is socially acceptable)

mutation (a change or alteration in form or qualities)

break (an abrupt change in the tone or register of the voice (as at puberty or due to emotion))

avulsion (an abrupt change in the course of a stream that forms the boundary between two parcels of land resulting in the loss of part of the land of one landowner and a consequent increase in the land of another)

deceleration; retardation; slowing (a decrease in rate of change)

acceleration (an increase in rate of change)

Derivation:

alter (cause to change; make different; cause a transformation)

Sense 2

Meaning:

The act of making something different (as e.g. the size of a garment)

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

adjustment; alteration; modification

Hypernyms ("alteration" is a kind of...):

change (the action of changing something)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "alteration"):

tightening (the act of making something tighter)

accommodation ((physiology) the automatic adjustment in focal length of the natural lens of the eye)

adaptation ((physiology) the responsive adjustment of a sense organ (as the eye) to varying conditions (as of light))

tune (the adjustment of a radio receiver or other circuit to a required frequency)

laxation; loosening (the act of making something less tight)

Derivation:

alter (cause to change; make different; cause a transformation)

alter (make an alteration to)

Sense 3

Meaning:

The act of revising or altering (involving reconsideration and modification)

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

alteration; revision

Context example:

it would require a drastic revision of his opinion

Hypernyms ("alteration" is a kind of...):

transformation; translation (the act of changing in form or shape or appearance)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "alteration"):

reorganization (an extensive alteration of the structure of a corporation or government)

metamorphosis; transfiguration (a striking change in appearance or character or circumstances)

qualification (the act of modifying or changing the strength of some idea)

modulation (the act of modifying or adjusting according to due measure and proportion (as with regard to artistic effect))

distraction; misdirection (the act of distracting; drawing someone's attention away from something)

 Context examples 

These reactive oxygen species also induce lipid peroxidation, carbohydrate oxidation, and alterations in prostaglandin synthesis and degradation.

(Bleomycin Antibiotic, NCI Thesaurus)

General term for hemodialysis, plasmapheresis, blood transfusions, and related procedures involving autologous removal, alteration, and replacement of patients' blood or blood components.

(Blood Treatment, NCI Thesaurus)

Approximately 75% of these alterations result in a truncated form of the breast cancer type 1 susceptibility protein.

(BRCA1 Gene Mutation, NCI Thesaurus)

Presence of alterations in the BAT26 locus, detected in stool samples, may be an easy and non-invasive detection method for colorectal cancer.

(BAT Locus, NCI Thesaurus)

A morphologic finding indicating alteration of the shape/pattern of tissue components.

(Architectural Distortion, NCI Thesaurus)

It is characterized by the presence of moderate or severe dysplasia and complex architectural alterations of the mucosal epithelium.

(Appendix High Grade Intraepithelial Neoplasia, NCI Thesaurus)

It is characterized by the presence of mild dysplasia and mild architectural alterations of the mucosal epithelium.

(Appendix Low Grade Intraepithelial Neoplasia, NCI Thesaurus)

Most of these alterations result in a truncated form of the breast cancer type 2 susceptibility protein.

(BRCA2 Gene Mutation, NCI Thesaurus)

It is characterized by alterations of the muscular wall of the small vessels in the brain, resulting in transient ischemic attacks.

(CADASIL Syndrome, NCI Thesaurus)

Graduate-prepared clinical specialists in Medical-Surgical Nursing provide care for individuals who have a known or predicted physiological alteration.

(Medical-Surgical Nurse Specialist, NCI Thesaurus)