[f. ALTER + -ING2.]

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  1.  Changing in some respect: a. Making otherwise; b. Becoming otherwise.

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1611.  Shaks., Wint. T., IV. iv. 410. Is he not stupid With Age, and altring Rheumes?

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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.

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1856.  Froude, Hist. Eng., I. 81. The altering issue proved the altering nature of the conditions.

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  † 2.  Med. = ALTERATIVE a. Obs.

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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.

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1684.  trans. Bonet’s Merc. Compit., VI. 162. To resist the Fever onely by … altering remedies.

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1720.  Blair, in Phil. Trans., XXXI. 35. I have distributed the Plants into such as are Altering and Evacuating.

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