English
modification
Pronunciation
  • (GA) IPA: /ˌmɑdɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/
  • (RP) IPA: /ˌmɒdɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/
Noun

modification

  1. (obsolete, philosophy) The form of existence belonging to a particular object, entity etc.; a mode of being. [17th–19th c.]
    • 1792, Mary Wollstonecraft, A Vindication of the Rights of Woman, Penguin 2004, p. 72:
      Pleasure is the business of woman's life, according to the present modification of society […].
  2. (linguistics) the change undergone by a word when used in a construction (for instance am => 'm in I'm) [from 17th c.]
  3. The result of modifying something; a new or changed form. [from 17th c.]
  4. The act of making a change to something while keeping its essential character intact; an alteration or adjustment. [from 18th c.]
    • Jim's modification to the radio's tuning resulted in clearer sound.
  5. (biology) A change to an organism as a result of its environment that is not transmissable to offspring. [from 19th c.]
    • Due to his sunbathing, Jim's body experienced modifications: he got a tan.
  6. (linguistics) a change to a word when it is borrowed by another language
    • The Chinese word "kòu tóu" had a modification made to become the English "kowtow".
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