Alteration

Al`ter*a"tion (?), n. [Cf. F. altération.] 1. The act of altering or making different.

Alteration, though it be from worse to better, hath in it incoveniences.
Hooker.

2. The state of being altered; a change made in the form or nature of a thing; changed condition.

Ere long might perceive
Strange alteration in me.
Milton.

Appius Claudius admitted to the senate the sons of those who had been slaves; by which, and succeeding alterations, that council degenerated into a most corrupt.
Swift.