Altering
/ˈɔːl.tər.ɪŋ/noun
Changing or making something different in form, appearance, character, or function.
Did you know?Its root is the same ancient Indo-European idea behind words like alien and alternate, all circling the concept of “the other” — a reminder that change is, at its core, becoming something else.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*al-
“to grow beyond; other, different”
Latin
Latin
alter
“the other of two; different”
Late Latin
Latin
alterāre
“to make other; to change”
Old French
Old French
alterer
“to change, modify”
Middle English
English
alteren
“to change”
Modern English
English
altering
“changing or making different”
Explore more surprising origins