Definitions for the word "alternate" from multiple English dictionaries.
1. a.
Being or succeeding by turns; one following the other in succession of time or place; by turns first one and then the other; hence, reciprocal.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
2. a.
Designating the members in a series, which regularly intervene between the members of another series, as the odd or even numbers of the numerals; every other; every second; as, the alternate members 1, 3, 5, 7, etc. ; read every alternate line.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
3. a.
Distributed, as leaves, singly at different heights of the stem, and at equal intervals as respects angular divergence.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
4. n.
That which alternates with something else; vicissitude.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
5. n.
A substitute; one designated to take the place of another, if necessary, in performing some duty.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
6. n.
A proportion derived from another proportion by interchanging the means.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
7. v. t.
To perform by turns, or in succession; to cause to succeed by turns; to interchange regularly.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
8. v. i.
To happen, succeed, or act by turns; to follow reciprocally in place or time; -- followed by with; as, the flood and ebb tides alternate with each other.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
9. v. i.
To vary by turns; as, the land alternates between rocky hills and sandy plains.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
10. v.
(-ting) 1 (often foll. By with) occur or cause to occur by turns. 2 (foll. By between) go repeatedly from one to another (alternated between hope and fear). adj. 1 (with noun in pl.) Every other (on alternate days). 2 (of things of two kinds) alternating (alternate joy and misery). alternately adv. Alternation n. [latin alterno do by turns: related to *alter]
Source: Oxford English Dictionary, 1884
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