alternation

[ awl-ter-ney-shuhn, al- ]

noun

1. the act or process of alternating or the state of being alternated.
2. alternate succession; repeated rotation:

   the alternation of the seasons.

3. Electricity. a single fluctuation in the absolute value of an alternating current or voltage from zero to a maximum and back to zero, being equal to one half cycle.
4. Linguistics. variation in the form of a linguistic unit as it occurs in different environments or under different conditions, as between the -ed and -en forms of the past participle in danced and spoken or between the (t) and (d) pronunciations of the past tense suffix -ed in hopped and rubbed.

alternation

/ ˌɔːltəˈneɪʃən /

noun

1. successive change from one condition or action to another and back again repeatedly
2. See disjunction
   logic another name for disjunction

Word History and Origins

Origin of alternation¹

First recorded in 1605–15, alternation is from the Late Latin word alternātiōn- (stem of alternātiō ). See alternate, -ion

Example Sentences

But in Virginia it was grown without interruption or alternation, and the plantations rapidly deteriorated in fertility.

From Project Gutenberg

The alternation of the seasons is thus complete, one-half of the empire enjoying summer, while one-half is in winter.

From Project Gutenberg

It is the frequent alternation of freezing and thawing that does the harm.

From Project Gutenberg

Each group is made up of an alternation of soft marls or clays and hard limestones or sandstones.

From Project Gutenberg

This mechanical alternation is objectively the same as that between the noun house and the verb to house.

From Project Gutenberg