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Search results for 'change':

change verb (changed, changing) 1 tr & intr to make or become different. 2 to give, leave or substitute one thing for another. 3 to exchange (usually one's position) with another person, etc. 4 tr & intr (often change into or out of something) to remove (clothes, sheets, a baby's nappy, etc) and replace them with clean or different ones. 5 tr & intr (sometimes change into something) to make into or become something different. 6 to obtain or supply another kind of money • change pounds into francs. 7 tr & intr to go from one vehicle, usually a train or bus, to another to continue a journey. 8 tr & intr to put a vehicle engine into (another gear). noun 1 the process of changing or an instance of it. 2 the replacement of one thing with another; the leaving of one thing for another. 3 a variation, especially a welcome one, from one's regular habit, etc • Let's eat out for a change. 4 the leaving of (one vehicle) for another during a journey. 5 a fresh set (of clothes) for changing into. 6 (also small or loose change) coins as distinct from notes. 7 coins or notes given in exchange for ones of higher value. 8 money left over or returned from the amount given in payment. 9 (usually changes) any of the various orders in which a set of church bells can be rung. 10 (the change) colloq see change of life. change hands to pass into different ownership. change one's mind or tune to adopt a different intention or opinion. get no change out of someone colloq to get no help from them. ring the changes to do something which is often repeated in varying ways. changeful adj. changer noun.
ETYMOLOGY: 13c: French, from Latin cambire to barter or exchange.

change down to change to a lower gear, when driving a motor vehicle.

change over 1 to change from one preference or situation to another. 2 to exchange (jobs, roles, etc). 3 sport in a relay race: to hand over to a team-mate by exchanging a baton, making contact, etc. See also change-over.

change up to change to a higher gear, when driving a motor vehicle.

change of life noun the menopause. Also called the change.

menopause noun the period in a woman's life, typically between the ages of 45 and 55, when menstruation ceases and pregnancy is no longer possible. Also called change of life, the change. See also male menopause. menopausal adj 1 relating to or experiencing the menopause and associated hormonal changes. 2 colloq suffering from strange moods and behaviour in middle age.
ETYMOLOGY: 19c: from French ménopause, from Greek men month + pausis cessation.