alt

[alt]Music.

adjective

high.

noun

in alt, in the first octave above the treble staff.

Origin of alt

1525–35; < Provençal < Latin altum, noun use of neuter of altus high

Alt key

[awlt]

noun Computers.

either of two keys on a PC keyboard that is held down while pressing another key, as to perform a specific operation or type a special character.

Origin of Alt key

First recorded in 1980–85

Also called Alt

alt-

variant of alti- before a vowel: altazimuth.

alt.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for alt

Alt

Examples from the Web for alt

Contemporary Examples of alt

Both present alt cert in general—and TFA in particular—as a problem, as a project that urgently needs fixing.
Stop Scapegoating Teach for America
Conor P. Williams
September 24, 2014
Admittedly, the quality of alt cert programs varies quite a bit.
Stop Scapegoating Teach for America
Conor P. Williams
September 24, 2014
Alt cert critics often argue that there are flaws in the methodology of some of these studies.
Stop Scapegoating Teach for America
Conor P. Williams
September 24, 2014
TFA—and some other alt cert programs—are already performing about as well as our main teacher preparation pipeline.
Stop Scapegoating Teach for America
Conor P. Williams
September 24, 2014
But many conventional doctors are also fed up and are jumping on the “alt med” bandwagon.
Clinton Doc: This Is How We’ll Fix Health Care
Daniela Drake
June 12, 2014

Historical Examples of alt

He was not beautiful, and his voice was three octaves above F in alt.
"Wee Tim'rous Beasties"
Douglas English
"'Alt, friends, while I 'as a look at you," said the sentry.
The Boy Scouts on the Trail
George Durston
Whoever the war was between, and whatever it was about, Alt Breisach was bound to be in it.
Three Men on the Bummel
Jerome K. Jerome
"You whistled the octave of B. in alt," remarked Edith appreciatively.
Dodo's Daughter
E. F. Benson
It is only that in every human heart there is a chord that vibrates to C in alt.
The Secret Life
Elizabeth Bisland

British Dictionary definitions for alt

alt

adjective

(esp of vocal music) high in pitch

of or relating to the octave commencing with the G above the top line of the treble staff

noun

in alt in the octave directly above the treble staff

Word Origin for alt

C16: from Provençal, from Latin altus high, deep

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

alt in Medicine

ALT

[ā′ĕl-tē′]

n.

alanine aminotransferase