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Alter vs Rectify - What's the difference?

alter | rectify |

In transitive terms the difference between alter and rectify

is that alter is to castrate, neuter or spay (a dog or other animal) while rectify is to correct or amend something.

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

    Anagrams

    * * * * * ----

    rectify

    English

    Verb

    (en-verb)
  • To correct or amend something.
  • (chemistry) To purify or refine, especially by distillation.
  • (electronics) To convert alternating current into direct current.
  • (transitive) To produce (as factitious gin or brandy) by redistilling bad wines or strong spirits (whisky, rum, etc.) with flavourings.
  • (transitive) To adjust (a globe) in order to prepare for the solution of a proposed problem.
  • Synonyms

    * See also

    Derived terms

    * rectifiable * rectifiably * rectification * rectifier * rectified spirit

    Anagrams

    *