Al*ter"nate (?; 277), a. [L. alternatus, p. p. of alternate, fr. alternus. See Altern, Alter.] 1. 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.
Pope.

2. 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.

3. (Bot.) Distributed, as leaves, singly at different heights of the stem, and at equal intervals as respects angular divergence. Gray.

Al*ter"nate (?; 277), n. 1. That which alternates with something else; vicissitude. [R.]

Grateful alternates of substantial.
Prior.

2. A substitute; one designated to take the place of another, if necessary, in performing some duty.

3. (Math.) A proportion derived from another proportion by interchanging the means.

Al"ter*nate (?; 277), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Alternated; p. pr. & vb. n. Alternating.] [L. alternatus, p. p. of alternare. See Altern.] To perform by turns, or in succession; to cause to succeed by turns; to interchange regularly.

The most high God, in all things appertaining unto this life, for sundry wise ends alternates the disposition of good and evil.
Grew.

Al"ter*nate, v. i. 1. 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.

Rage, shame, and grief alternate in his breast.
J. Philips.

Different species alternating with each other.
Kirwan.

2. To vary by turns; as, the land alternates between rocky hills and sandy plains.

• 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.
       Quotation: And bid alternate passions fall and rise. -Pope
  
• (math) 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.
       Example: the alternate members 1, 3, 5, 7, etc.
  
• Other; alternative. (US usage)
  
• (botany) Distributed, as leaves, singly at different heights of the stem, and at equal intervals as respects angular divergence. --Gray.
  
• That which alternates with something else; vicissitude.
       Quotation: Grateful alternates of substantial. -Prior
  
• A substitute; one designated to take the place of another, if necessary, in performing some duty. (US usage only. In British English, only alternative may be used to suggest "a substitute").
  
• (math) A proportion derived from another proportion by interchanging the means.
  
• Other; alternative.
  
• (US) A replacement of equal or greater value or function.
  
• (transitive): To perform by turns, or in succession; to cause to succeed by turns; to interchange regularly.
  
• (intransitive): 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.
  
• (intransitive): To vary by turns; as, the land alternates between rocky hills and sandy plains.