v., adj., & n.
--v.
1. intr. (often foll. by with) (of two things) succeed each other by turns (rain and sunshine alternated; elation alternated with depression).
2 intr. (foll. by between) change repeatedly (between two conditions) (the patient alternated between hot and cold fevers).
3 tr. (often foll. by with) cause (two things) to succeed each other by turns (the band alternated fast and slow tunes; we alternated criticism with reassurance).
--adj.
1. (with noun in pl.) every other (comes on alternate days).
2 (of things of two kinds) each following and succeeded by one of the other kind (alternate joy and misery).
3 (of a sequence etc.) consisting of alternate things.
4 Bot. (of leaves etc.) placed alternately on the two sides of the stem.
5 ALTERNATIVE.
--n. esp. US a deputy or substitute.
Phrases and idioms:
alternate angles two angles, not adjoining one another, that are formed on opposite sides of a line that intersects two other lines. alternating current an electric current that reverses its direction at regular intervals.
Derivatives:
alternately adv.
Etymology: L alternatus past part. of alternare do things by turns f. alternus every other f. alter other