Alteration, n.
Etymology: [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.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for alteration; he lists it under change.
He lists it without comment; the entries above explain its neighbors.