Main Entry: ¹al·ter·nate

Pronunciation: \US & Canada ˈȯl-tər-nət also ˈal-; chiefly British ȯl-ˈtər-\

Function: adjective

Etymology: Latin alternatus, past participle of alternare, from alternus alternate, from alter

Date: 1513

1 : occurring or succeeding by turns <a day of alternate sunshine and rain>
2 a : arranged first on one side and then on the other at different levels or points along an axial line <alternate leaves> — compare opposite b : arranged one above or alongside the other
3 : every other : every second <he works on alternate days>
4 : constituting an alternative <took the alternate route home>
5 : alternative 3

— al·ter·nate·ly adverb