modifyv.
/ˈmɒdᵻfʌɪ/, U.S. /ˈmɑdəˌfaɪ/ 1. transitive. To alter in the direction of mildness or moderation; to make less severe, rigorous, or extreme; to qualify, tone down, moderate (a statement, judgement, etc.).
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > lack of violence, severity, or intensity > make less violent or severe [verb (transitive)]
temperc1000
keelc1175
slakea1300
abate?c1335
settle1338
swagea1340
modifyc1385
rebatea1398
bate1398
moder1414
releasea1425
remiss?a1425
moderate1435
alethe?1440
delaya1450
appal1470
addulce1477
mollify1496
mean?a1513
relent1535
qualify1536
temperatea1540
aplake1578
slack1589
relaxate1598
milden1603
mitigate1611
relax1612
alleniate1615
allay1628
alloy1634
castigate1653
smoothen1655
tendera1656
mitify1656
meeken1662
remitigate1671
obviscate1684
slacken1685
chastise1704
dulcify1744
absorb1791
demulceate1817
chasten1856
modulate1974
mediate1987
the world > relative properties > quantity > decrease or reduction in quantity, amount, or degree > reduce in quantity, amount, or degree [verb (transitive)] > tone down
temperc1000
modifyc1385
softenc1410
tame?a1500
qualify1536
temperatea1540
extenuate1561
supple1609
dilute1665
palliate1665
weaken1683
subdue1723
lower1780
modulate1783
to shade away1817
to water down1832
to water down1836
sober1838
veil1843
to tone down1847
to break down1859
soothe1860
tone1884
to key down1891
soft-pedal1912
c1385 G. Chaucer Knight's Tale 2542 Wherfore, to shapen that they shal noght dye, He wol his firste purpos modifye.
?a1425 tr. Catherine of Siena Orcherd of Syon (Harl.) (1966) 22 (MED) Þerfore þe peyne of þat trespas þat schulde haue noon eende was modified, and schal haue eende.
a1475 (?a1430) J. Lydgate tr. G. Deguileville Pilgrimage Life Man (Vitell.) 24376 I..prayed hym..that he wold..modefyen his vengeaunce.
a1505 R. Henryson Test. Cresseid l. 299 in Poems (1981) 120 The pane of Cresseid for to modifie.
1509 S. Hawes Pastime of Pleasure (1845) xxxiv. 174 Your hasty dome loke that ye modefy.
c1530 Court of Love 1014 The sixteenth statut doth me grete grevaunce, But ye must that relesse or modifie.
1610 J. Donne Pseudo-martyr vi. 184 For so Mariana modefies his Doctrine, that the Prince should not execute any Clergy man, though hee deserue it.
1671 in J. D. Marwick Extracts Rec. Burgh Glasgow (1905) III. 158 Recommendis to the baillies..to modiefie the fewdewties of the candlerig..in respect the samyne is over dear.
1757 E. Burke Philos. Enq. Sublime & Beautiful iv. §26. 166 The great has terror for its basis; which, when it is modified, causes that emotion in the mind, which I have called astonishment.
1813 Duke of Wellington Dispatches (1838) X. 382 Upon the whole I conceive that it would be best for the court to modify their sentence.
1819 Ld. Byron Don Juan: Canto II lxiii. 150 They did their best to modify their case.
1859 J. Lang Wanderings in India 402 There is generally a light breeze to modify the heat.
1869 H. F. Tozer Res. Highlands of Turkey II. 264 In fairy tales..inconsistencies are..modified and softened down.
1873 M. E. Braddon Milly Darrell xii I suppose that medicine was intended to modify those attacks of sickness from which she has suffered so much.
1908 ‘G. A. Birmingham’ Spanish Gold 27 The prospect of the large fortune which he expected to get on Inishgowlan Island did not in the least modify Meldon's eagerness to make the best possible bargain with the stranger.
1934 S. Robertson Devel. Mod. Eng. (1936) ii. 31 Later philologists than Grimm found it necessary to qualify and modify his statement of the consonant-shift.
1977 K. M. E. Murray Caught in Web of Words xvii. 336 He was forced to modify his more extreme views by finding they did not fit the facts of experience.
a. transitive. To limit, restrain; to keep within bounds; to govern, control. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > subjection > restraint or restraining > restriction or limitation > restrict or limit [verb (transitive)] > reasonably
admeasure1340
modifya1393
modificate1625
the world > relative properties > kind or sort > individual character or quality > quality of being special or restricted in application > quality of being restricted or limited > restrict or limit [verb (transitive)] > reasonably
admeasure1340
modifya1393
modificate1625
a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) vii. 2153 (MED) A king after the reule is holde To modifie and to adresce Hise yiftes upon such largesce That he mesure noght excede.
a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) vii. 4210 (MED) A king schal modefie The fleisschly lustes of nature.
Promptorium Parvulorum (Harl. 221) 341/1 Modyfyyn, or settyn yn mene cowrse of resone.
a1460 Knyghthode & Bataile (Pembr. Cambr. 243) 1060 (MED) Her foon..wil delude Her ignoraunce that can not modifie The suffisaunce an ooste to geder & gye.
b. transitive. To appease, assuage. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > calmness > compose or make calm [verb (transitive)]
softa1225
stilla1325
coolc1330
accoya1375
appeasec1374
attemperc1386
lullc1386
quieta1398
peasea1400
amesec1400
assuagec1400
mesec1400
soberc1430
modify?a1439
establish1477
establish1477
pacify1484
pacify1515
unbrace?1526
settle1530
steady1530
allay1550
calm1559
compromitc1574
restore1582
recollect1587
serenize1598
smooth1604
compose1607
recompose1611
becalm1613
besoothe1614
unprovokea1616
halcyon1616
unstrain1616
leniate1622
tranquillize1623
unperplexa1631
belull1631
sedate1646
unmaze1647
assopiatea1649
serenate1654
serene1654
tranquillify1683
soothe1697
unalarm1722
reserene1755
quietize1791
peacify1845
quieten1853
conjure1856
peace1864
disfever1880
patise1891
de-tension1961
mellow1974
a1439 J. Lydgate Fall of Princes (Bodl. 263) ix. 2358 (MED) Tirauntis hertis this vertu doth appese, Modefieth ther cruel fell woodnesse.
a1450 (?c1421) J. Lydgate Siege Thebes (Arun.) (1911) 3818 Iocasta..Gan seke menys..Ȝif she myght the Ire modefye Of the Grekes.
a1450 (c1435) J. Lydgate Life SS. Edmund & Fremund (Harl.) 857 in C. Horstmann Altengl. Legenden (1881) 2nd Ser. 411 (MED) Thus kan the lord..The rage of beestis appese and modefie.
1546 T. Langley tr. P. Vergil Abridgem. Notable Worke i. xi. 21 b [Orpheus] by the swetenes of his armony delited and modefied the grosse hartis and rude myndes of men.
c. transitive (reflexive). To control one's feelings. Obsolete. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > calmness > self-possession or self-control > control oneself [verb (reflexive)]
refraina1387
forbeara1400
modify1530
sober1530
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 639/2 I modyfye, I temperate, je me modifie...What thoughe he speke a hastye worde you muste modyfye your selfe.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > fees and taxes > impost, due, or tax > tax > taxation > levy (a tax) [verb (transitive)] > fix amount of tax
assess1447
modify1448
sess1467
cess1523
assize1525
stent1633
1448 in J. Stuart Extracts Council Reg. Aberdeen (1844) I. 18 A reward for his..labour to be modifiit be John of Fif, alderman.
1457 Acts Parl. Scotl. (1814) II. 51/1 Vnder sik payne and vnlawe as þe barone or lorde sall modify.
1524 in J. Stuart Extracts Council Reg. Aberdeen (1844) I. 108 To pass and modefy the provest and Johne Colisonis expensis.
1539 in J. Stuart Extracts Council Reg. Aberdeen (1844) I. 160 The provest and bailzeis..modefiit ane mendis for the said myspersonyng, as efter followis.
1569 Acts Gen. Assembly Church of Scotl. (Maitland Club) I. 164 Every Superintendent..shall modifie the stipends, augment or diminish the same, as occasione shall serve.
1583 in D. Masson Reg. Privy Council Scotl. (1880) 1st Ser. III. 598 [The Lords of Council therefore] modifiis to hir the sowme of twentie schillingis to be paid to hir.
1632 W. Lithgow Totall Disc. Trav. viii. 351 I receiued in compensation of my abuses..fifty Florentine Crownes of gold, being modified by the Duke him selfe.
1664 in W. G. Scott-Moncrieff Rec. Proc. Justiciary Court Edinb. (1905) I. 94 Mr. William Innes..having applied to the magistrates..to modifie the assythment..the justices..modifies 400 merks.
1702 Kirk-session Rec. 5 July in Boharm Parish Mag. (1893) Oct. Grigor Grant payed £10 Scots for his trelapse in fornication modified by the Session.
1752 J. Louthian Form of Process (ed. 2) 118 May it therefore please your Lordship..to modify the Sum for which your Petitioners are to find Bail.
1754 J. Erskine Princ. Law Scotl. I. i. v. 50 One commission of Parliament..appointed..for..modifying stipends to ministers out of the teinds.
1833 Act 3 & 4 William IV c. 46 §117 Such penalty..may be recovered by summary complaint to the sheriff..with such expences therefor as shall be modified by him.
1838 W. Bell Dict. Law Scotl. at Modification The stipend..must be modified in grain or victual, and paid in money.
1874 G. Outram Lyrics 60 The Court on this occasion..Thus modify..One chalder in addition, Of oats, would seem sufficient.
1896 W. K. Morton Man. Law Scotl. 21 On cause shown, the Court of Teinds..Modify the stipend at the increased amount.
4. † b. transitive. Philosophy. To bring (a substance or other entity) into a particular mode of existence; to give (an object) its particular form of being or modality.
a. transitive. To differentiate into a variety of forms; to make distinct or diverse by investing with specific characteristics; to bring into or to a particular form or forms.Now merged in sense 6a.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > difference > differ from [verb (transitive)] > mark difference between
difference1596
modificate1625
modify1664
differentiate1857
demark1883
1664 H. More Apol. in Modest Enq. Myst. Iniquity 500 The Earth..modified into a frame fit for the functions of life.
1669 W. Holder Elem. Speech 32 They [sc. ‘letters’] modify and discriminate the Voice without appearing to discontinue it.
1690 J. Locke Ess. Humane Understanding ii. xviii. 110 Sounds..are modified by diversity of Notes of different length put together, which make that complex Idea call'd a Tune.
1690 J. Locke Ess. Humane Understanding ii. xviii. 110 Some others of the simple Ideas..have been thus modified to a great variety of complex Ideas.
1698 J. Fryer New Acct. E.-India & Persia 278 More than twice Seven Plates are differently Modified to invite the Palate to Luxury.
1704 I. Newton Opticks i. ii. 82 And therefore the differences of these Colours from one another, do not arise from the different Confines of Shadow, whereby Light is variously modified, as has hitherto been the Opinion of Philosophers.
1777 W. Jones Ess. Imit. Arts 207 As the passions are differently modified in different men.
1806 T. R. Malthus Ess. Princ. Population (ed. 3) II. iii. vii. 210 Others employ themselves in modifying the raw materials of nature into the forms best suited to the gratification of man.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > existence > extrinsicality or externality > externalize [verb (transitive)] > determine into a mode of being
incarnate1644
modify1678
the mind > mental capacity > philosophy > logic > logical proposition > [verb (transitive)] > accidents, attributes, or modes of existence
modify1678
1678 T. Gale Court of Gentiles: Pt. IV iii. vi. 191 That the previous Concurse of God, as the first cause, doth according to its mode modifie and determine al the actions of second causes.
1678 T. Gale Court of Gentiles: Pt. IV iv. iii. vi. 190 He doth by a particular efficacious concurse so modifie and determine the entitative act, as that the natural specification and individuation thereof may be ascribed to him as the God of Nature.
1706 Phillips's New World of Words (new ed.) Modify,..In Philosophy, to give the Modality or manner of Existence.
1738 E. Chambers Cycl. (ed. 2) at Spinozism Whence it follows, that the substance modified by the square figure cannot be the same substance with that modified by the round figure.
5.
a. transitive. Grammar. To limit or qualify the sense of (a word, phrase, or sentence); to stand as a modifier in relation to (a noun).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > linguistics > study of grammar > syntax or word order > syntactic relations > have syntactic relation with [verb (transitive)] > modify or qualify
modify1728
qualify1892
1728 E. Chambers Cycl. (at cited word) This last kind of words, which serve to modify Nouns and Verbs, since it has no general Name in the common Grammars, he [sc. Buffier] chuses to call modificatives.
1797 Encycl. Brit. VIII. 72/1 The usual effect of adjectives..is to modify or particularise a general term.
a1831 Encycl. Metrop. (1845) I. 70/1 The adverb..is used to modify an adjective, or a verb, or another adverb.
a1834 S. T. Coleridge Specimens of Table Talk (1835) I. 63 Modify the verb by the noun, that is, by being, and you have—..The adverb.
1924 O. Jespersen Philos. Gram. vii. 96 In any composite denomination of a thing or person.., we always find that there is one word of supreme importance to which the others are joined as subordinates. This chief word is defined (qualified, modified) by another word.
1952 A. H. Marckwardt Introd. Eng. Lang. ii. 115 Adjectives may also be..separated from the nouns they modify by a linking or copulative verb.
1992 W. P. Lehmann in C. Blank Lang. & Civilization I. 142 The OV middle was replaced by VO reflexive and reciprocal markers: nouns and pronouns when these were objects, adjectives when they modified nouns.
b. transitive. Phonetics. To cause (a vowel) to undergo mutation; to palatalize. Cf. modification n. 9.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > linguistics > study of speech sound > speech sound > sound changes > [verb (transitive)] > umlaut
modify1845
umlaut1976
1845 J. M. Kemble in Proc. Philol. Soc. 2 138 The short u continues to represent the Gothic u..where it has not been dulled into o, or modified by a following i or ë into y.
1952 M. O'C. Walshe Conc. German Etym. Dict. p. xv In all Gmc. languages except Gothic, vowels in stressed syllables tend..to be modified (mutated) by the vowel of the following syllable (especially i, j).
6. † b. transitive. To alter so as to adapt (to). Obsolete. rare.
a. transitive. To make partial or minor changes to; to alter (an object) in respect of some of its qualities, now typically so as to improve it; to cause to vary without radical transformation. (Now the principal general sense.)
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > change > change [verb (transitive)] > modify
moder1414
moderate1477
modify1759
transmodifya1774
retrofit1949
mod1958
1759 S. Johnson Prince of Abissinia II. xxviii. 26 Time itself, as it modifies unchangeably the external mien, determines likewise the direction of the passions.
1780 E. Burke Corr. (1844) II. 387 I confess I see no cause to change, or to modify, my opinion on that subject.
1791 C. Fearne Ess. Learning Contingent Remainders (ed. 4) I. 108 Words of limitation operate by reference to or connection with other words, and extend or modify the estate given by those other words.
1834 Tait's Edinb. Mag. New Ser. 1 184/1 Measures of improvement so often mutilated, or, as the word is, ‘modified’ [by the House of Lords].
1863 H. Cox Inst. Eng. Govt. i. iv. 18 The Crown must either assent to or reject bills in Parliament, but cannot modify them.
1878 T. H. Huxley Physiography (ed. 2) xvii. 273 The agents which are now at work in modifying the crust of the earth.
1903 W. R. Fisher tr. A. F. W. Schimper Plant-geogr. 261 Tropical grassland, wherever it has not been modified by human agency, occurs chiefly as savannah, more rarely as steppe.
1955 Sci. Amer. Apr. 102/3 All organisms from the amoeba to man modify their immediate environment.
1971 Road Ahead (Brisbane) Sept. 18 ‘Ringers’ are experts in modifying stolen cars.
1992 Which? Oct. 10/3 You may need to drain down your heating system to allow individual radiators to be modified.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > change > change to something else, transformation > adaptation > adapt [verb (transitive)]
tempera1000
transpose1509
adaptate1638
adapt1676
modify1800
reconfigure1939
tailor1942
1800 Med. & Physical Jrnl. 3 514 Every medical man..will know how to modify its dose and formula to the existing circumstances of his patient.
1821 T. Jefferson Autobiogr. in Writings (1984) 38 To abolish the whole existing system of laws..or preserve the general system, and only modify it to the present state of things.
ΚΠ
1823 H. J. Brooke Familiar Introd. Crystallogr. 24 The new planes produced by decrements are denominated secondary planes, and the primary form, when altered in shape by the interference of secondary planes, is said to be modified on the edges or angles on which the secondary planes have been produced.
1823 H. J. Brooke Familiar Introd. Crystallogr. 96 Crystals rarely present themselves under their respective primary forms; they are usually modified by new planes, producing secondary crystals.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2002; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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