verb
doctor
To change something in order to deceive.
Someone doctors the photograph to conceal the damaged wall.
Etymology
The verb developed from the doctor’s work of treating a problem. It then took a dishonest turn when altering or patching something concealed its true condition.
More examples
- The records had been doctored.
- He doctored the figures in the report.
- Do not doctor the evidence.
Forms
doctor · doctors · doctored · doctoring
Similar words
- falsify
- Explicitly means changing something to make it deceptive.