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alternate

 - 7 dictionary results
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al⋅ter⋅nate

  [v. awl-ter-neyt, al-; adj., n. awl-ter-nit, al-] verb, -nat⋅ed, -nat⋅ing, adjective, noun
Use alternate in a Sentence
–verb (used without object)
1. to interchange repeatedly and regularly with one another in time or place; rotate (usually fol. by with): Day alternates with night.
2. to change back and forth between conditions, states, actions, etc.: He alternates between hope and despair.
3. to take turns: My sister and I alternated in doing the dishes.
4. Electricity. to reverse direction or sign periodically.
5. Linguistics. to occur as a variant in alternation with another form.
–verb (used with object)
6. to perform or do in succession or one after another: to alternate comedy acts; to alternate jogging and walking.
7. to interchange successively or regularly: to alternate hot and cold compresses.
–adjective
8. being in a constant state of succession or rotation; interchanged repeatedly one for another: Winter and summer are alternate seasons.
9. reciprocal; mutual: alternate acts of kindness.
10. every second one of a series: Read only the alternate lines.
11. constituting an alternative: The alternate route is more scenic.
12. alternative (defs. 4, 6).
13. Botany.
a. placed singly at different heights on the axis, on each side in succession, or at definite angular distances from one another, as leaves.
b. opposite to the intervals between other organs: petals alternate with sepals.
–noun
14. a person authorized to fill the position, exercise the duties, etc., of another who is temporarily absent; substitute.
15. Theater.
a. either of two actors who take turns playing the same role.
b. an understudy.
16. alternative.
Origin:
1505–15; < L alternātus (ptp. of alternāre). See altern, -ate 1

Related forms:
al⋅ter⋅nate⋅ly, adverb
al⋅ter⋅nate⋅ness, noun
al⋅ter⋅nat⋅ing⋅ly, adverb
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al⋅ter⋅na⋅tive

  [awl-tur-nuh-tiv, al-]
–noun
1. a choice limited to one of two or more possibilities, as of things, propositions, or courses of action, the selection of which precludes any other possibility: You have the alternative of riding or walking.
2. one of the things, propositions, or courses of action that can be chosen: The alternative to riding is walking.
3. a possible or remaining course or choice: There was no alternative but to walk.
–adjective
4. affording a choice of two or more things, propositions, or courses of action.
5. (of two things, propositions, or courses) mutually exclusive so that if one is chosen the other must be rejected: The alternative possibilities are neutrality and war.
6. employing or following nontraditional or unconventional ideas, methods, etc.; existing outside the establishment: an alternative newspaper; alternative lifestyles.
7. Logic. (of a proposition) asserting two or more choices, at least one of which is true.
Also, alternate (for defs. 1–4, 6).

Origin:
1580–90; alternate + -ive

Related forms:
al⋅ter⋅na⋅tive⋅ly, adverb
al⋅ter⋅na⋅tive⋅ness, al⋅ter⋅na⋅tiv⋅i⋅ty, noun

Synonyms:
1. option, selection. See choice.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To alternate
al·ter·nate   (ôl'tər-nāt', āl'-)   
v.   al·ter·nat·ed, al·ter·nat·ing, al·ter·nates

v.   intr.

    1. To occur in a successive manner: day alternating with night.

    2. To act or proceed by turns: The students alternated at the computer.

  2. To pass back and forth from one state, action, or place to another: alternated between happiness and depression.

  3. Electricity To reverse direction at regular intervals in a circuit.

v.   tr.

  1. To do or execute by turns.

  2. To cause to alternate: alternated light and dark squares to form a pattern.

adj.   (-nĭt)

  1. Happening or following in turns; succeeding each other continuously: alternate seasons of the year. See Usage Note at alternative.

  2. Designating or relating to every other one of a series: alternate lines.

  3. Serving or used in place of another; substitute: an alternate plan.

  4. Botany

    1. Arranged singly at each node, as leaves or buds on different sides of a stem.

    2. Arranged regularly between other parts, as stamens between petals.

n.   (-nĭt)

  1. A person acting in the place of another; a substitute.

  2. An alternative.


[Latin alternāre, alternāt-, from alternus, by turns, from alter, other; see al-1 in Indo-European roots.]
al'ter·nate·ly adv., al'ter·nate·ness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: 1al·ter·nate
Pronunciation: 'ol-t&r-n&t, 'al-
Function: adjective
1 : occurring or succeeding by turns
2 : being an alternative <alternate juror>

Main Entry: 2alternate
Function: noun
1 : ALTERNATIVE
2 : one that substitutes for another alternates>

Main Entry: 2alternative
Function: noun
1 : a proposition or situation offering a choice between two or more things only one of which may be chosen
2 a : one of two or more things, courses, or propositions to be chosen b : something which can be chosen instead—in the alternative 1 : for or as an alternative in the alternative, damages of $20,000> in the alternative>
2 : in such a way that offers a choice in the alternative…may be demanded —Federal Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 8(a)> in the alternative>
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
Cite This Source
Science Dictionary
alternate   (ôl'tər-nĭt)  Pronunciation Key 

  1. Arranged singly at intervals on a stem or twig. Elms, birches, oaks, cherry trees, and hickory trees have alternate leaves. Compare opposite.

  2. Arranged regularly between other parts, as stamens between petals on a flower.


The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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