a. [a. Fr. altérable: see ALTER and -ABLE.]
† 1. Liable to alter or vary, variable, changeable.
1526. Frith, Disput. Purg., 193. His justice and mercy are ever one, and not alterable.
1696. Wedderburn, David’s Test., iv. 28. His peace, his joy … are indeed moveable and very alterable things.
2. Capable of being altered or changed.
1574. Whitgift, Def. Answ., ii. Wks. 1851, I. 284. Which, being external matters and alterable, are to be altered and changed.
1630. Prynne, Anti-Armin., 114. It is contingent and alterable at mans pleasure.
1744. Ld. Lyttelton, Sp. Scotch Bill, Wks. 1776, III. 5. The laws that concern publick right, policy and civil government … are declared to be alterable by Parliament.
1802. Playfair, Illustr. Hutton. Th., 278. Substances alterable by fire.
1840. Carlyle, Heroes, v. The manner of it is very alterable: the matter and fact of it is not alterable by any power under the sky.
† 3. Capable of producing alteration, or change of state in something else. Obs. rare.
1594. Carew, trans. Huarte’s Exam. Wits (1616), 283. There are some men whose generatiue facultie is vnable, and not alterable for one woman, and yet for another is apt & begetteth issue.
