modification (n.)

c. 1500, in philosophy, "determination by a mode or quality," from Middle French modification (14c.) and directly from Latin modificationem (nominative modificatio) "a measuring," noun of action from past-participle stem of modificare (see modify). Sense of "a result of a variation or alteration" is from 1660s. Meaning "act or process of altering in character, form, or function" is from 1774.