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altérer

to alter, to impair

verb ahl-teh-REH Rare
Descriptions & Qualities Conditions

Also means

to distort, to corrupt

Usage Note

Altérer implies a change for the worse — altering health (altérer la santé), distorting facts (altérer la vérité), or corrupting data. The reflexive s'altérer means to deteriorate or to become strained (leurs relations se sont altérées — their relations deteriorated). Do not confuse with alterner (to alternate).

Examples

"Le temps a altéré les couleurs du tableau."

Natural Translation

Time has faded the colours of the painting.

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