modification

noun

Etymology: From Middle English modificatioune, from Middle French modification and its etymon Latin modificātiō (“a measuring”), from modificāre (“to limit, control, modify”); see modify. By surface analysis, modify + -ication.

1. The act of assessing and prescribing a payment, penalty, price, valuation, etc.

   “Wherein his highnes commandement is, that a graue, wiſe, ⁊ ſage man, ſhalbe appointed pꝛeſident, who may haue yͤ ouerſight of theſe boũds, ⁊ be anſwerable therefoꝛe to the biſhop, his coũſell ⁊ ſynode, ⁊ he to be reſpected reaſonably foꝛ his paines, at the modification of ſtipends: […]”

   “Mekle Kindeass 2 b. 1 f. and £3 12s 1d . . . . and whatever augmentation . . be ye lords commissioners . . . . for modificaton of stipends and plantation of kirks . . . .”

2. The form of existence belonging to a particular object, entity etc.; a mode of being.

   “Pleasure is the business of woman's life, according to the present modification of society […]”

3. The change undergone by a word when used in a construction.
4. The result of modifying something; a new or changed form.
5. The act of making a change to something while keeping its essential character intact; an alteration or adjustment.

   “behavior modification officer”

   “Jim's modification to the radio's tuning resulted in clearer sound.”

6. A change to an organism as a result of its environment that is not transmissable to offspring.

   “Due to his sunbathing, Jim's body experienced modifications: he got a tan.”

7. A change to a word when it is borrowed by another language.

   “The Chinese word kòutóu had a modification made to become the English kowtow.”