[f. ALTER + -ING2.]
1. Changing in some respect: a. Making otherwise; b. Becoming otherwise.
1611. Shaks., Wint. T., IV. iv. 410. Is he not stupid With Age, and altring Rheumes?
1646. Sir T. Browne, Pseud. Ep., 208. Every seventh year [is] conceived to carry some altering character with it, either in the temper of body, minde, or both.
1856. Froude, Hist. Eng., I. 81. The altering issue proved the altering nature of the conditions.
† 2. Med. = ALTERATIVE a. Obs.
1605. Timme, Quersit., II. iii. 115. It is become hote, and of a drying quality … which is altogether the vertue and facultie of an altering medicine.
1684. trans. Bonet’s Merc. Compit., VI. 162. To resist the Fever onely by … altering remedies.
1720. Blair, in Phil. Trans., XXXI. 35. I have distributed the Plants into such as are Altering and Evacuating.
