Definitions for Alternateˈɔl tərˌneɪt, ˈæl-; -nɪt

al•ter•nateˈɔl tərˌneɪt, ˈæl-; -nɪt(v.; adj., n.; adj.; n.)-nat•ed, -nat•ing

(v.i.)to interchange repeatedly and regularly with one another in time or place (usu. fol. by with):
Day alternates with night.
to change back and forth between states, actions, etc.:
He alternates between hope and despair.
to take turns:
The children alternate in doing chores.
Elect. to reverse direction or sign periodically.
Category: Electricity and Magnetism
(v.t.)to perform or do in succession or one after another.
to interchange successively or regularly:
to alternate hot and cold compresses.
(adj.)interchanged repeatedly one for another:
Winter and summer are alternate seasons.
reciprocal; mutual:
alternate acts of kindness.
every second one of a series:
Read only the alternate lines.
Ref: alternative (def. 4). 4
Bot. placed singly at different heights on the axis, on each side in succession, or at definite angular distances from one another, as leaves on a stem. opposite to the intervals between other parts:
petals alternate with sepals.
Category: Botany
(n.)a person authorized to take the place of another who is temporarily absent.

1505–15; < L alternātus, ptp. of alternāre to alternate, v. der. of alternus by turns, der. of alter other

al′ter•nate•ly(adv.)

surrogate, alternate, replacement(adj)
someone who takes the place of another person
alternate(a)(adj)
every second one of a series
"the cleaning lady comes on alternate Wednesdays"; "jam every other day"- the White Queen
alternate, alternative, substitute(adj)
serving or used in place of another
"an alternative plan"
alternate(a), alternating(a)(adj)
occurring by turns; first one and then the other
"alternating feelings of love and hate"
alternate(verb)
of leaves and branches etc; first on one side and then on the other in two ranks along an axis; not paired
"stems with alternate leaves"
alternate, jump(verb)
go back and forth; swing back and forth between two states or conditions
alternate(verb)
exchange people temporarily to fulfill certain jobs and functions
understudy, alternate(verb)
be an understudy or alternate for a role
interchange, tack, switch, alternate, flip, flip-flop(verb)
reverse (a direction, attitude, or course of action)
alternate, take turns(verb)
do something in turns
"We take turns on the night shift"

alternate(verb)ˈɔl tərˌneɪt, ˈæl-; adj., n. -nɪt
to change between two things or states
weather that alternates between hot and cold; Alternate the background color.
alternate(adjective)ˈɔl tərˌneɪt, ˈæl-; adj., n. -nɪt
used instead of sth; = alternative
an alternate plan/route
alternateˈɔl tərˌneɪt, ˈæl-; adj., n. -nɪt
indicates every second item in a series
alternate lines of the poem; children attending daycare on alternate days

alternate(Noun)
That which alternates with something else; vicissitude.
Grateful alternates of substantial. -Matthew Prior
alternate(Noun)
A substitute; an alternative; one designated to take the place of another, if necessary, in performing some duty.
alternate(Noun)
A proportion derived from another proportion by interchanging the means.
alternate(Noun)
A replacement of equal or greater value or function.
alternate(Noun)
Figures or tinctures that succeed each other by turns.
alternate(Verb)
To perform by turns, or in succession; to cause to succeed by turns; to interchange regularly.
alternate(Verb)
To happen, succeed, or act by turns; to follow reciprocally in place or time;u2014followed by with.
The flood and ebb tides alternate with each other.
alternate(Verb)
To vary by turns.
The land alternates between rocky hills and sandy plains.
alternate(Adjective)
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.
And bid alternate passions fall and rise. -Alexander Pope
alternate(Adjective)
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.
the alternate members 1, 3, 5, 7, etc.
alternate(Adjective)
Other or alternative.
alternate(Adjective)
Distributed, as leaves, singly at different heights of the stem, and at equal intervals as respects angular divergence. --Gray.

Origin: From alterno, alternus, from alter. See altern, alter.

Alternate(adj)
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
Alternate(adj)
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
Alternate(adj)
distributed, as leaves, singly at different heights of the stem, and at equal intervals as respects angular divergence
Alternate(noun)
that which alternates with something else; vicissitude
Alternate(noun)
a substitute; one designated to take the place of another, if necessary, in performing some duty
Alternate(noun)
a proportion derived from another proportion by interchanging the means
Alternate(verb)
to perform by turns, or in succession; to cause to succeed by turns; to interchange regularly
Alternate(verb)
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
Alternate(verb)
to vary by turns; as, the land alternates between rocky hills and sandy plains