alternate

Syllabification: (al·ter·nate)

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Definition of alternate

verb

Pronunciation: /ˈôltərˌnāt/

[no object]

occur in turn repeatedly:the governorship alternated between the Republican and Democratic parties bouts of depression alternate with periods of elation (as adjective alternating)a season of alternating hot days and cool nights
[with object] do or perform in turn repeatedly:some adults who wish to alternate work with education

adjective

Pronunciation: /ˈôltərnit/

(abbreviation: alt.) [attributive]

1every other; every second:she was asked to attend on alternate days
(of two things) each following and succeeded by the other in a regular pattern:alternate bouts of intense labor and of idleness
Botany (of leaves or shoots) placed alternately on the two sides of the stem.

2chiefly North American taking the place of; alternative:the rerouted traffic takes a variety of alternate routes

noun

Pronunciation: /-nit/

(abbreviation: alt.) North American

a person who acts as a deputy or substitute.

Derivatives

alternately
alternation

Origin:

early 16th century(earlier (late Middle English) as alternation): from Latin alternat- 'done by turns', from alternare, from alternus 'every other', from alter 'other, the other'

See alternative (usage).

alternate in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of alternate in the British & World English dictionary

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Other

alternate

verb

adjective

noun

Derivatives

alternately

alternation

Origin:

alternate in other Oxford dictionaries

Nearby words

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