alternate

al•ter•nate

v. [[t]ˈɔl tərˌneɪt, ˈæl-[/t]] adj., n. [[t]-nɪt[/t]] v. -nat•ed, -nat•ing, adj. n.

1) to interchange repeatedly and regularly with one another in time or place (usu. fol. by with):

Day alternates with night[/ex]

2) to change back and forth between states, actions, etc.:

He alternates between hope and despair[/ex]

3) to take turns:

The children alternate in doing chores[/ex]

4) elm Elect. to reverse direction or sign periodically

5) to perform or do in succession or one after another

6) to interchange successively or regularly:

to alternate hot and cold compresses[/ex]

7) interchanged repeatedly one for another:

Winter and summer are alternate seasons[/ex]

8) reciprocal; mutual:

alternate acts of kindness[/ex]

9) every second one of a series:

Read only the alternate lines[/ex]

10) alternative 4)

11) Bot.

a) 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

b) bot opposite to the intervals between other parts:

petals alternate with sepals[/ex]

12) a person authorized to take the place of another who is temporarily absent

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Etymology: 1505–15; < L alternātus, ptp. of alternāre to alternate, v. der. of alternus by turns, der. of alter other al′ter•nate•ly, adv.