tʃeɪndʒ 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. øchange
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. øøchangeful adj. changer n. [ME f. AF chaunge, OF change, changer f. LL cambiare, L cambire
barter, prob. of
Celt. orig.]