[awl-tur-nuh-tiv, al-] 
| 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. |
| 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. |
| al·ter·na·tive (ôl-tûr'nə-tĭv, āl-) n.
Usage Note: Some traditionalists hold that alternative should be used only in situations where the number of choices involved is exactly two, because of the word's historical relation to Latin alter, "the other of two." Despite the word's longstanding use to mean "one of a number of things from which only one can be chosen" and the acceptance of this usage by many language critics, a substantial portion of the Usage Panel adheres to the traditional view, with only 49 percent accepting the sentence Of the three alternatives, the first is the least distasteful. · Alternative is also sometimes used to refer to a variant or substitute in cases where there is no element of choice involved, as in We will do our best to secure alternative employment for employees displaced by the closing of the factory. This sentence is unacceptable to 60 percent of the Usage Panel. · Alternative should not be confused with alternate. Correct usage requires The class will meet on alternate (not alternative) Tuesdays. |
nə
