amend

Amend is a verb meaning to make changes to improve accuracy, quality, or effectiveness, especially by correcting faults or updating text. Changes may be minor or substantial and are usually applied to written documents, laws, or plans. In everyday use, people amend a contract, a will, or a report to reflect new information or better terms. The noun form is amendment.

Etymology: The English verb derives from Old French amender, from Latin emendare meaning to correct, improve.

In legislative and legal contexts, to amend a bill, statute, or constitution means to alter its provisions before final approval. Amendments can introduce new clauses, modify existing ones, or strike others. The process for enacting amendments varies by jurisdiction; constitutional amendments often require more extensive approval than ordinary statutes, such as additional majorities or referenda.

In everyday use, amendments occur with contracts, wills, and other formal documents, and are typically attached as amendments or riders to show the changes. The goal of amending is to reflect updated terms, rectify errors, or respond to new circumstances while preserving the core intent of the original document.