Alternate
/ˈæl.tɚ.neɪt/noun
Occurring in turn with another; every other; or serving as a substitute.
Did you know?It ultimately comes from Latin alternāre, built from alter meaning “the other one,” the same ancient root behind words like alter and alternative.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*al-
“The other, one of two”
Latin
Latin
alter
“the other of two; second”
Latin
Latin
alternāre
“to do one thing after another; to alternate”
Old French
Old French
alterner
“to alternate; to act in turns”
Late Middle English
English
alternat
“occurring by turns; every other”
Modern English
English
alternate
“occurring in turns or every other; a substitute or replacement”
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