to change (something) so that it fits, corresponds, or conforms; adapt; accommodate: to adjust expenses to income.
2.
to put in good working order; regulate; bring to a proper state or position: to adjust an instrument.
3.
to settle or bring to a satisfactory state, so that parties are agreed in the result: to adjust our differences.
4.
Insurance. to determine the amount to be paid in settlement of (a claim).
5.
to systematize.
6.
Military. to correct the elevation or deflection of (a gun).
–verb (used without object)
7.
to adapt oneself; become adapted: They had no problems in adjusting at the new school.
[Origin: 1350–1400; ME ajusten < AF ajuster, OF aj(o)uster to make conform to, v. deriv., with a-a-5, of juste right, just1, influenced in sense by ajouter, ajoster to add < LL adjuxtāre; see ad-, juxta-]
—Synonyms 2. set; repair, fix. Adjust,adapt,alter in their literal meanings imply making necessary or desirable changes (as in position, shape, or the like). To adjust is to move into proper position for use: to adjust the eyepiece of a telescope. To adapt is to make a change in character, to make something useful in a new way: to adapt a paper clip for a hairpin. To alter is to change the appearance but not the use: to alter the height of a table. 3. arrange; rectify; reconcile.
To change so as to match or fit; cause to correspond.
To bring into proper relationship.
To adapt or conform, as to new conditions: "unable to adjust themselves to their environment"(Karl A. Menninger). See Synonyms at adapt.
To bring the components of into a more effective or efficient calibration or state: adjust the timing of a car's engine.
In chiropracty, to manipulate (the spine and other body structures) to treat disorders and restore normal function of the nervous system.
To decide how much is to be paid on (an insurance claim).
v.
intr.
To adapt oneself; conform.
To achieve a psychological balance with regard to one's external environment, one's needs, and the demands of others.
[Obsolete French adjuster, from Old French ajoster, from Vulgar Latin *adiūxtāre, to put close to : Latin ad-, ad- + Latin iūxtā, near; see yeug- in Indo-European roots.]
ad·just'a·ble adj., ad·just'a·bly adv., ad·just'er, ad·jus'tor n.
1598, "arrange, settle, compose," from O.Fr. ajoster "to join," from L.L. adjuxtare "to bring near," from L. ad- "to" + juxta "next," related to jungere "to join" (see jugular). Infl. by folk etymology from L. justus "just, equitable, fair." Meaning "to get used to" first recorded 1924.
alter or regulate so as to achieve accuracy or conform to a standard; "Adjust the clock, please"; "correct the alignment of the front wheels"
2.
place in a line or arrange so as to be parallel or straight; "align the car with the curb"; "align the sheets of paper on the table" [syn: align] [ant: skew]
3.
adapt or conform oneself to new or different conditions; "We must adjust to the bad economic situation"
4.
make correspondent or conformable; "Adjust your eyes to the darkness"
5.
decide how much is to be paid on an insurance claim
Main Entry: ad·just Pronunciation: &-'j&st Function: transitive verb : to bring about orientation or adaptation of (oneself) adjustintransitive senses 1: to adapt oneself (as to climate, food, or new working hours) 2: to achieve mental and behavioral balance between one's own
needs and the demands of others —ad·just·abil·i·ty/-"j&s-t&-'bil-&t-E/nounplural-ties
—ad·just·able/-'j&s-t&-b&l/adjective —ad·jus·tive/-'j&s-tiv/adjective
Main Entry: ad·just Function: transitive verb 1 a: to determine the amount to be paid under an insurance policy in settlement of (a loss) b: to
make new arrangements with creditors for the payment of (the debts of a debtor in bankruptcy) 2: to calculate in accordance with a system <adjusting the basis>
Ad*just"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Adjusted; p. pr. & vb. n. Adjusting.] [OF. ajuster, ajoster (whence F. ajouter to add), LL. adjuxtare to fit; fr. L. ad + juxta near; confused later with L. ad and justus just, right, whence F. ajuster to adjust. See Just, v. t. and cf. Adjute.]1. To make exact; to fit; to make correspondent or conformable; to bring into proper relations; as, to adjust a garment to the body, or things to a standard. 2. To put in order; to regulate, or reduce to system. Adjusting the orthography. --Johnson. 3. To settle or bring to a satisfactory state, so that parties are agreed in the result; as, to adjust accounts; the differences are adjusted. 4. To bring to a true relative position, as the parts of an instrument; to regulate for use; as, to adjust a telescope or microscope. Syn: To adapt; suit; arrange; regulate; accommodate; set right; rectify; settle.