(~d)
1.
When you ~ two things, you keep using one then the other. When one thing ~s with another, the first regularly occurs after the other.
Her aggressive moods ~d with gentle or more co-operative states...
The three acts will ~ as headliners throughout the tour...
Now you just ~ layers of that mixture and eggplant...
The band ~d romantic love songs with bouncy dance numbers.
V-RECIP: V between/with n, pl-n V, V pl-n, V n with n
alternation (alternations)
The alternation of sun and snow continued for the rest of our holiday.
N-VAR
2.
Alternate actions, events, or processes regularly occur after each other.
They were streaked with ~ bands of colour.
ADJ: ADJ n
~ly
He could ~ly bully and charm people...
ADV: ADV with v, ADV adj
3.
If something happens on ~ days, it happens on one day, then happens on every second day after that. In the same way, something can happen in ~ weeks, years, or other periods of time.
Lesley had agreed to Jim going skiing in ~ years.
ADJ: ADJ n
4.
You use ~ to describe a plan, idea, or system which is different from the one already in operation and can be used instead of it.
His group was forced to turn back and take an ~ route.
= alternative
ADJ: ADJ n
5.
An ~ is a person or thing that replaces another, and can act or be used instead of them. (AM)
In most jurisdictions, twelve jurors and two ~s are chosen...
= substitute
N-COUNT
6.
Alternate is sometimes used, especially in American English, instead of alternative in meanings 3, 4, and 5.
...an ~ lifestyle.
ADJ: ADJ n