nick vs modify

nick is a noun but modify is not a noun.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
nick	Yes	No	Yes	No
modify	No	No	Yes	No

As verbs, modify is a hypernym of nick; that is, modify is a word with a broader meaning than nick:

Other hypernyms of nick include alter, change.

nick (noun)	modify (noun)
a small cut
(British slang) a prison
an impression in a surface (as made by a blow)

nick (verb)	modify (verb)
mate successfully; of livestock	make less severe or harsh or extreme
divide or reset the tail muscles of	add a modifier to a constituent
cut a nick into	cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
cut slightly, with a razor