alternat

noun

al·​ter·​nat

ȧlternȧ

plural alternats

-nȧ(z)

: the practice among diplomats of regulating precedence among powers of equal rank by lot or in a certain regular order

especially : the practice in the signing of treaties and conventions of giving each power the copy on which it appears at the head of the list of signatories

Word History

Etymology

French, literally, alternation, probably from New Latin alternatus, from Latin alternatus, past participle of alternare

First Known Use

1826, in the meaning defined above

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