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Webster's 1828 Dictionary

CHANGE, v.t.
1. To cause to turn or pass from one state to another; to alter, or make different; to vary in external form, or in essence; as, to change the color or shape of a thing; to change the countenance; to change the heart or life.
2. To put one thing in the place of another; to shift; as, to change the clothes
Be clean and change your garments. Genesis 35.
3. To quit one thing or state for another; followed by for; as, persons educated in a particular religion do not readily change it for another.
4. To give and take reciprocally; as, will you change conditions with me?
5. To barter; to exchange goods; as, to change a coach for a chariot.
6. To quit, as one place for another; as, to change lodgings.
7. To give one kind of money for another; to alter the form or kind of money, by receiving the value in a different kind, as to change bank notes for silver; or to give pieces of a larger denomination for an equivalent in pieces of smaller denomination, as to change an eagle for dollars, or a sovereign for sixpences, or to change a dollar into cents; or on the other hand, to change dollars for or into eagles, giving money of smaller denomination for larger.
8. To become acid or tainted; to turn from a natural state of sweetness and purity; as, the wine is changed; thunder and lightning are said to change milk.
To change a horse, or to change hand, is to turn or bear the horses head from one hand to the other, from the left to the right, or from the right to the left.
CHANGE, v.i.
1. To be altered; to undergo variation; as, men sometimes change for the better, often for the worse.
I am Jehovah; I change not. Malachi 3.
2. To pass the sun, as the moon in its orbit; as, the moon will change the 14th of this month.
CHANGE, n.
1. Any variation or alteration in form, state, quality, or essence; or a passing from one state or form to another; as a change of countenance; a change of habits or principles.
2. A succession of one thing in the place of another; vicissitude; as a change of seasons; a change of objects on a journey; a change of scenes.
3. A revolution; as a change of government.
4. A passing by the sun, and the beginning of a new monthly revolution; as a change of the moon.
5. A different state by removal; novelty; variety.
Our fathers did, for change, to France repair.
6. Alteration in the order of ringing bells; variety of sounds.
Four bells admit twenty-four changes in ringing.
7. That which makes a variety, or may be substituted for another.
Thirty changes of raiment. Judges 14.
8. Small coins of money, which may be given for larger pieces.
9. The balance of money paid beyond the price of goods purchased.
I give the clerk a bank note for his cloth, and he gave me the change.
10. The dissolution of the body; death.
All the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come. Job 14.
11. Change for exchange, a place where merchants and others meet to transact business; a building appropriated for mercantile transactions.
12. In arithmetic, permutation; variation of numbers. Thirteen numbers admit of 6,227, 020, 800 changes, or different positions.

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: an event that occurs when something passes from one state or phase to another; "the change was intended to increase sales"; "this storm is certainly a change for the worse"; "the neighborhood had undergone few modifications since his last visit years ago" [syn: change, alteration, modification]
2: a relational difference between states; especially between states before and after some event; "he attributed the change to their marriage"
3: the action of changing something; "the change of government had no impact on the economy"; "his change on abortion cost him the election"
4: the result of alteration or modification; "there were marked changes in the lining of the lungs"; "there had been no change in the mountains"
5: the balance of money received when the amount you tender is greater than the amount due; "I paid with a twenty and pocketed the change"
6: a thing that is different; "he inspected several changes before selecting one"
7: a different or fresh set of clothes; "she brought a change in her overnight bag"
8: coins of small denomination regarded collectively; "he had a pocketful of change"
9: money received in return for its equivalent in a larger denomination or a different currency; "he got change for a twenty and used it to pay the taxi driver"
10: a difference that is usually pleasant; "he goes to France for variety"; "it is a refreshing change to meet a woman mechanic" [syn: variety, change] v
1: cause to change; make different; cause a transformation; "The advent of the automobile may have altered the growth pattern of the city"; "The discussion has changed my thinking about the issue" [syn: change, alter, modify]
2: undergo a change; become different in essence; losing one's or its original nature; "She changed completely as she grew older"; "The weather changed last night" [ant: remain, rest, stay]
3: become different in some particular way, without permanently losing one's or its former characteristics or essence; "her mood changes in accordance with the weather"; "The supermarket's selection of vegetables varies according to the season" [syn: change, alter, vary]
4: lay aside, abandon, or leave for another; "switch to a different brand of beer"; "She switched psychiatrists"; "The car changed lanes" [syn: switch, shift, change]
5: change clothes; put on different clothes; "Change before you go to the opera"
6: exchange or replace with another, usually of the same kind or category; "Could you convert my dollars into pounds?"; "He changed his name"; "convert centimeters into inches"; "convert holdings into shares" [syn: change, exchange, commute, convert]
7: give to, and receive from, one another; "Would you change places with me?"; "We have been exchanging letters for a year" [syn: exchange, change, interchange]
8: change from one vehicle or transportation line to another; "She changed in Chicago on her way to the East coast" [syn: transfer, change]
9: become deeper in tone; "His voice began to change when he was 12 years old"; "Her voice deepened when she whispered the password" [syn: deepen, change]
10: remove or replace the coverings of; "Father had to learn how to change the baby"; "After each guest we changed the bed linens"

Merriam Webster's

I. verb (changed; changing) Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French changer, from Latin cambiare to exchange, probably of Celtic origin; akin to Old Irish camm crooked Date: 13th century transitive verb 1. a. to make different in some particular ; alter <never bothered to change the will> b. to make radically different ; transform <can't change human nature> c. to give a different position, course, or direction to 2. a. to replace with another <let's change the subject> b. to make a shift from one to another ; switch <always changes sides in an argument> c. to exchange for an equivalent sum of money (as in smaller denominations or in a foreign currency) <change a 20-dollar bill> d. to undergo a modification of <foliage changing color> e. to put fresh clothes or covering on <change a bed> intransitive verb 1. to become different <her mood changes every hour> 2. of the moon to pass from one phase to another 3. to shift one's means of conveyance ; transfer <on the bus trip he had to change twice> 4. of the voice to shift to lower register ; break 5. to undergo transformation, transition, or substitution <winter changed to spring> 6. to put on different clothes <need a few minutes to change for dinner> 7. exchange, switch <neither liked his seat so they changed with each other> • changer noun Synonyms: change, alter, vary, modify mean to make or become different. change implies making either an essential difference often amounting to a loss of original identity or a substitution of one thing for another <changed the shirt for a larger size>. alter implies a difference in some particular respect without suggesting loss of identity <slightly altered the original design>. vary stresses a breaking away from sameness, duplication, or exact repetition <vary your daily routine>. modify suggests a difference that limits, restricts, or adapts to a new purpose <modified the building for use by the disabled>. II. noun Date: 13th century 1. the act, process, or result of changing: as a. alteration <a change in the weather> b. transformation <a time of vast social change> <going through changes> c. substitution <a change of scenery> d. the passage of the moon from one monthly revolution to another; also the passage of the moon from one phase to another e. menopause 2. a fresh set of clothes 3. British exchange 5a 4. a. money in small denominations received in exchange for an equivalent sum in larger denominations b. money returned when a payment exceeds the amount due c. coins especially of low denominations <a pocketful of change> d. a negligible additional amount <only six minutes and change left in the game> e. money 1 <cost a large chunk of change> 5. an order in which a set of bells is struck in change ringing 6. changeup

Oxford Reference Dictionary

n. & v. --n. 1 a the act or an instance of making or becoming different. b an alteration or modification (the change in her expression). 2 a money given in exchange for money in larger units or a different currency. b money returned as the balance of that given in payment. c = small change. 3 a new experience; variety (fancied a change; for a change). 4 a the substitution of one thing for another; an exchange (change of scene). b a set of clothes etc. put on in place of another. 5 (in full change of life) colloq. the menopause. 6 (usu. in pl.) the different orders in which a peal of bells can be rung. 7 (Change) (also 'Change) hist. a place where merchants etc. met to do business. 8 (of the moon) arrival at a fresh phase, esp. at the new moon. --v. 1 tr. & intr. undergo, show, or subject to change; make or become different (the wig changed his appearance; changed from an introvert into an extrovert). 2 tr. a take or use another instead of; go from one to another (change one's socks; changed his doctor; changed trains). b (usu. foll. by for) give up or get rid of in exchange (changed the car for a van). 3 tr. a give or get change in smaller denominations for (can you change a ten-pound note?). b (foll. by for) exchange (a sum of money) for (changed his dollars for pounds). 4 tr. & intr. put fresh clothes or coverings on (changed the baby as he was wet; changed into something loose). 5 tr. (often foll. by with) give and receive, exchange (changed places with him; we changed places). 6 intr. change trains etc. (changed at Crewe). 7 intr. (of the moon) arrive at a fresh phase, esp. become new. Phrases and idioms: change colour blanch or flush. change down engage a lower gear in a vehicle. change gear engage a different gear in a vehicle. change hands 1 pass to a different owner. 2 substitute one hand for another. change one's mind adopt a different opinion or plan. change of air a different climate; variety. change of heart a conversion to a different view. change over change from one system or situation to another. change-over n. such a change. change step begin to keep step with the opposite leg when marching etc. change the subject begin talking of something different, esp. to avoid embarrassment. change one's tune 1 voice a different opinion from that expressed previously. 2 change one's style of language or manner, esp. from an insolent to a respectful tone. change up engage a higher gear in a vehicle. get no change out of sl. 1 fail to get information from. 2 fail to get the better of (in business etc.). ring the changes (on) vary the ways of expressing, arranging, or doing something. Derivatives: changeful adj. changer n. Etymology: ME f. AF chaunge, OF change, changer f. LL cambiare, L cambire barter, prob. of Celt. orig.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Change Change, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Changed; p. pr. & vb. n. Changing.] [F. changer, fr. LL. cambiare, to exchange, barter, L. cambire. Cf. Cambial.] 1. To alter; to make different; to cause to pass from one state to another; as, to change the position, character, or appearance of a thing; to change the countenance. Therefore will I change their glory into shame. --Hosea. iv. 7. 2. To alter by substituting something else for, or by giving up for something else; as, to change the clothes; to change one's occupation; to change one's intention. They that do change old love for new, Pray gods, they change for worse! --Peele. 3. To give and take reciprocally; to exchange; -- followed by with; as, to change place, or hats, or money, with another. Look upon those thousands with whom thou wouldst not, for any interest, change thy fortune and condition. --Jer. Taylor. 4. Specifically: To give, or receive, smaller denominations of money (technically called change) for; as, to change a gold coin or a bank bill. He pulled out a thirty-pound note and bid me change it. --Goldsmith. To change a horse, or To change hand (Man.), to turn or bear the horse's head from one hand to the other, from the left to right, or from the right to the left. To change hands, to change owners. To change one's tune, to become less confident or boastful. [Colloq.] To change step, to take a break in the regular succession of steps, in marching or walking, as by bringing the hollow of one foot against the heel of the other, and then stepping off with the foot which is in advance. Syn: To alter; vary; deviate; substitute; innovate; diversify; shift; veer; turn. See Alter.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Change Change, v. i. 1. To be altered; to undergo variation; as, men sometimes change for the better. For I am Lord, I change not. --Mal. iii. 6. 2. To pass from one phase to another; as, the moon changes to-morrow night.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Change Change, n. [F. change, fr. changer. See Change. v. t.] 1. Any variation or alteration; a passing from one state or form to another; as, a change of countenance; a change of habits or principles. Apprehensions of a change of dynasty. --Hallam. All the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come. --Job xiv. 14. 2. A succesion or substitution of one thing in the place of another; a difference; novelty; variety; as, a change of seasons. Our fathers did for change to France repair. --Dryden. The ringing grooves of change. --Tennyson. 3. A passing from one phase to another; as, a change of the moon. 4. Alteration in the order of a series; permutation. 5. That which makes a variety, or may be substituted for another. Thirty change (R.V. changes) of garments. --Judg. xiv. 12. 6. Small money; the money by means of which the larger coins and bank bills are made available in small dealings; hence, the balance returned when payment is tendered by a coin or note exceeding the sum due. 7. [See Exchange.] A place where merchants and others meet to transact business; a building appropriated for mercantile transactions. [Colloq. for Exchange.] 8. A public house; an alehouse. [Scot.] They call an alehouse a change. --Burt. 9. (Mus.) Any order in which a number of bells are struck, other than that of the diatonic scale. Four bells admit twenty-four changes in ringing. --Holder. Change of life, the period in the life of a woman when menstruation and the capacity for conception cease, usually occurring between forty-five and fifty years of age. Change ringing, the continual production, without repetition, of changes on bells, See def. 9. above. Change wheel (Mech.), one of a set of wheels of different sizes and number of teeth, that may be changed or substituted one for another in machinery, to produce a different but definite rate of angular velocity in an axis, as in cutting screws, gear, etc. To ring the changes on, to present the same facts or arguments in variety of ways. Syn: Variety; variation; alteration; mutation; transition; vicissitude; innovation; novelty; transmutation; revolution; reverse.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

(changes, changing, changed) Frequency: The word is one of the 700 most common words in English. 1. If there is a change in something, it becomes different. The ambassador appealed for a change in US policy... What is needed is a change of attitude on the part of architects... There are going to have to be some drastic changes... In Zaire political change is on its way... 1998 was an important year for everyone: a time of change. N-VAR: usu with supp see also sea change 2. If you say that something is a change or makes a change, you mean that it is enjoyable because it is different from what you are used to. It is a complex system, but it certainly makes a change... Do you feel like you could do with a change? N-SING [approval] 3. If you change from one thing to another, you stop using or doing the first one and start using or doing the second. His doctor increased the dosage but did not change to a different medication... He changed from voting against to abstaining. VERB: V to n, V from -ing/n to 4. When something changes or when you change it, it becomes different. We are trying to detect and understand how the climates change... In the union office, the mood gradually changed from resignation to rage... She has now changed into a happy, self-confident woman... They should change the law to make it illegal to own replica weapons... Trees are changing colour earlier than last year... He is a changed man since you left... A changing world has put pressures on the corporation. = alter VERB: V, V from n to n, V into n, V n, V n, V-ed, V-ing 5. To change something means to replace it with something new or different. I paid £80 to have my car radio fixed and I bet all they did was change a fuse... If you want to change your doctor there are two ways of doing it. VERB: V n, V n • Change is also a noun. A change of leadership alone will not be enough. N-COUNT: oft a N of n 6. When you change your clothes or change, you take some or all of your clothes off and put on different ones. Ben had merely changed his shirt... They had allowed her to shower and change... I changed into a tracksuit... I've got to get changed first. I've got to put my uniform on. VERB: V n, V, V into/out of n, get V-ed 7. A change of clothes is an extra set of clothes that you take with you when you go to stay somewhere or to take part in an activity. He stuffed a bag with a few changes of clothing. N-COUNT: N of n 8. When you change a bed or change the sheets, you take off the dirty sheets and put on clean ones. After changing the bed, I would fall asleep quickly... I changed the sheets on your bed today. VERB: V n, V n 9. When you change a baby or change its nappy or diaper, you take off the dirty one and put on a clean one. She criticizes me for the way I feed or change him... He needs his nappy changed. VERB: V n, V-ed 10. When you change buses, trains, or planes or change, you get off one bus, train, or plane and get on to another in order to continue your journey. At Glasgow I changed trains for Greenock... We were turned off the train at Hanover, where we had to change. VERB: V n, V 11. When you change gear or change into another gear, you move the gear lever on a car, bicycle, or other vehicle in order to use a different gear. (BRIT; in AM, use shift) The driver tried to change gear, then swerved... He looked up into the mirror as he changed through his gears. VERB: V n, V prep 12. Your change is the money that you receive when you pay for something with more money than it costs because you do not have exactly the right amount of money. 'There's your change.'—'Thanks very much.'... They told the shopkeeper to keep the change. N-UNCOUNT 13. Change is coins, rather than paper money. Thieves ransacked the office, taking a sack of loose change... The man in the store won't give him change for the phone unless he buys something. N-UNCOUNT see also small change 14. If you have change for larger notes, bills, or coins, you have the same value in smaller notes, bills, or coins, which you can give to someone in exchange. The courier had change for a £10 note. N-UNCOUNT: usu N for n • If you make change, you give someone smaller notes, bills, or coins, in exchange for the same value of larger ones. PHRASE 15. When you change money, you exchange it for the same amount of money in a different currency, or in smaller notes, bills, or coins. You can expect to pay the bank a fee of around 1% to 2% every time you change money... If you travel frequently, find an agency that will change one foreign currency directly into another. VERB: V n, V n into n 16. If you say that you are doing something or something is happening for a change, you mean that you do not usually do it or it does not usually happen, and you are happy to be doing it or that it is happening. Now let me ask you a question, for a change... Liz settled back in her seat, comfortably relaxed, enjoying being driven for a change. PHRASE: PHR with cl 17. to change for the better: see better to change hands: see hand a change of heart: see heart to change your mind: see mind to change places: see place to ring the changes: see ring to change the subject: see subject to change tack: see tack to change your tune: see tune to change for the worse: see worse

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

chanj: A word which seeks to express the many shades of meaning contained in 13 variations of 9 Hebrew words and 5 Greek. These signify, in turn, "to change" "to exchange," "to turn," "to put or place," "to make other" i.e. "alter," "to disguise oneself." chalaph, and its derivatives, occuring often, indicates "to pass away," hence, alter, renew, e.g.:

(1) "changes of raiment" (Ge 45:22; Jud 14:12,13,19);

(2) "changed my wages ten times" (Ge 31:7,41);

(3) heavens changed "as a vesture" (Ps 102:26);

(4) "changes and warfare" (Job 10:17), i.e. relays of soldiers as illustrated in 1Ki 5:14 (the Revised Version, margin "host after host is against me");

(5) "till my change come" (the Revised Version (British and American) "release"), i.e. death (Job 14:14);

(6) "changed the ordinances" (the American Standard Revised Version "violated the statutes"), i.e. disregarded law (Isa 24:5);

(7) change of mind (Hab 1:11 the King James Version). Used also of change of character, haphakh:

(1) of leprosy, "changed unto white" (Le 13:16);

(2) figuratively of the moral life, "Can the Ethiopian change his skin?" (Jer 13:23); so also mur, and derivatives, "changed their gods" and "their glory," etc. (Ps 106:20; Jer 2:11; Ho 4:7).

Other words used to indicate change of name (2Ki 24:17); of day and night (Job 17:12); of times and seasons (Da 2:21); of countenance. (Da 7:28); of behavior (1Sa 21:13); God's unchangeableness, "I, Yahweh, change not" (Mal 3:6).

In the New Testament the word has to do chiefly with spiritual realities:

(1) metatithemi, of the necessary change of the priesthood and law under Christ (Heb 7:12);

(2) allatto, of His changing the customs of Moses (Ac 6:14);

(3) of moral change, e.g. debasement (Ro 1:23,25,26);

(4) of bodily change at the resurrection (1Co 15:51,52; metaschematizo, Php 3:21 the King James Version);

(5) metaballo, of change of mind in presence of a miracle (Ac 28:6);

(6) of the change to come over the heavens at the great day of the Lord (Heb 1:12; compare 2Pe 3:10,12).

Figurative uses indicated separately in the course of the article.

Dwight M. Pratt

Soule's Dictionary of English Synonyms

I. v. a. 1. Vary, modify, make different, make some change in. See alter. 2. Shift, remove for other, replace by other. 3. Exchange, barter, commute, give in exchange. 4. Give small coin (or bills), in exchange for. II. v. n. Alter, vary, shift, veer, turn, undergo change, change about. III. n. 1. Alteration, variation, mutation, transition, transmutation, revolution. 2. Vicissitude, variety, novelty, innovation. 3. Small coin, small money.

Moby Thesaurus

aberration, about-face, accommodate, adapt, adjust, advance, agency, agent, alchemy, alter, alteration, alternate, alternative, ameliorate, analogy, analysis, analyze, anatomization, anatomize, ascend, assimilate to, assimilation, assume, assumption, atomization, atomize, avatar, back, back and fill, back up, backup, bandy, barter, be changed, be converted into, be quits with, be renewed, become, becoming, better, bottom out, break, break up, bring to, budge, buy and sell, castrate, change for, change into, change over, change place, change-over, changeling, checker, chop, chop and change, chop logic, circle, climb, coins, come about, come around, come round, commutation, commute, comparison, compensate, compound for, conversion, convert, cooperate, copy, counterchange, counterfeit, deal, deform, degenerate, delegation, demarcation, denature, deputation, deputy, deputyship, descend, desexualize, desynonymization, desynonymize, deteriorate, deviate, deviation, difference, differencing, differentiate, differentiation, discriminate, discrimination, disequalization, disequalize, disjoin, disjunction, displacement, distinction, distinguish, distinguishment, dither, diverge, divergence, diversification, diversify, divide, division, do business, do over, don, double, dress in, dub in, dummy, ebb, equal, equivalent, equivocate, ersatz, exchange, fake, fill-in, fit, fix, flip-flop, flop, flow, fluctuate, geld, get back at, get even with, get into, get on, get over, ghost, ghostwriter, give and take, give in exchange, give place to, go, go around, go round, go sideways, growth, gyrate, hard cash, haul around, horse-trade, imitation, improve, individualization, individualize, individuate, individuation, innovation, interchange, inverse, invert, jibe, lapse, locum tenens, logroll, make, make a distinction, make do with, make over, make way for, makeshift, mark, mark off, mark out, meliorate, metamorphose, metamorphosis, metaphor, metonymy, mitigate, modification, modify, modulate, modulation, mount, move, move over, mutate, mutation, mutilate, naturalization, naturalize, neuter, next best thing, novelty, offer in exchange, oscillate, overthrow, particularization, particularize, passage, pay back, pendulate, permutation, permute, personalization, personalize, personnel, petty cash, phony, pin money, pinch hitter, plunge, pocket money, power of attorney, progress, proxy, put on, put up with, qualify, quid pro quo, re-create, re-formation, realign, rebuild, reciprocate, reconstruct, reconversion, reconvert, redeem, redesign, reduce to, reduction, refashion, refine a distinction, refit, reform, regress, relief, remake, render, renew, replace, replacement, representation, representative, requite, reserves, reshape, resolution, resolve into, respond, restructure, retaliate, retrogress, return, return the compliment, revamp, reversal, reverse, revert, revive, revolution, ring in, ring the changes, ringer, rise, rotate, run, second string, secondary, segregate, segregation, separate, separation, set apart, set off, sever, severalization, severalize, severance, shift, shift the scene, shift with, shilly-shally, shuffle the cards, sign, silver, sink, slip on, small change, soar, spares, specialization, specialize, spending money, spin, split hairs, sport, stand-in, stir, stream, sub, subrogation, subside, substituent, substitute, substitution, subvert, succedaneum, supersedence, superseder, superseding, supersedure, supersession, supplantation, supplanter, supplanting, supplantment, surrogate, swap, swap horses, swerve, switch, switch over, switch-over, symbol, synecdoche, tack, take a turn, take in exchange, teeter, tergiversate, third string, tit for tat, token, totter, trade, trade in, trade off, trade sight unseen, transfigure, transform, transformation, transit, transition, translate, transmogrify, transmutation, transmute, transplace, transpose, transubstantiate, travel, truck, turn, turn aside, turn back, turn into, turn the corner, turn the scale, turn the tables, turn the tide, turn upside down, turning into, undergo a change, understudy, unsex, utility player, vacillate, variation, variegate, variety, vary, veer, vicar, vicariousness, vice-president, vice-regent, vicissitude, volte-face, wane, warp, waver, whirl, wobble, work a change, worsen