alternate
1al·ter·nate
adj\US & Canada ˈȯl-tər-nət also ˈal-; chiefly British ȯl-ˈtər-\
Definition of ALTERNATE
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
See Examples of ALTERNATE
- Alternate shades of wood formed a pattern around the window.
- We took an alternate route because of the traffic.
- Due to an emergency, the plane landed at an alternate airport.
Origin of ALTERNATE
Latin alternatus, past participle of alternare, from alternus alternate, from alter
First Known Use: 1513
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