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Alter vs Altern - What's the difference?

alter | altern |

As adjectives the difference between alter and altern

is that alter is while altern is acting by turns; alternate.

alter

English

Alternative forms

* altre (obsolete)

Verb

(en verb)
  • To change the form or structure of.
  • * Bible, Psalms lxxxix. 34
    • My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips.
  • * Shakespeare
    • No power in Venice can alter a decree.
  • * Alexander Pope
    • It gilds all objects, but it alters none.
  • To become different.
  • To tailor clothes to make them fit.
  • To castrate, neuter or spay (a dog or other animal).
  • (obsolete) To agitate; to affect mentally.
    • (Milton)

    Derived terms

    * alterer * alterability * alterative * alterable * alterably

    Related terms

    * alteration * alternate * alternative

    External links

    * *

    Anagrams

    * * * * * ----

    altern

    English

    Adjective

    (-)
  • Acting by turns; alternate.
    • (Milton)

    Derived terms

    * altern base (Webster 1913) ----