Alter

v. t. [imp. & p. p. ALTERED; p. pr. & vb. n. ALTERING.] [Fr. altérer, Pr. & Sp. alterar, It. & L. Lat. alterare, from Lat. alter, another, from alius, other, with the compar. suffix ter, Gr. ἕτερος, Goth. thar, Skr. tara; Goth. anthar, Skr. antara, equiv. to Lat. alter.] 1. To make some change in; to make different in some particular; to vary in some degree, without an entire change. My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that has gone out of my lips. Ps. lxxxix. 34.

2. To change entirely or materially; as, to alter an opinion. Dryden.
3. To agitate. [Obs.]

I suppose them, as at the beginning of no mean endeavor, not a little altered and moved inwardly in their minds. Milton. ☞ In general, to alter is to change partially; to change is more generally to substitute one thing for another, or to make a material difference in a thing.