alternant

[ awl-tur-nuhnt, al- or, especially British, awl-tur-nuhnt, al- ]

/ ˈɔl tɜr nənt, ˈæl- or, especially British, ɔlˈtɜr nənt, æl- /

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adjective

alternating; alternate.

noun

Linguistics. a variant form that exists in alternation with another or others.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of alternant

First recorded in 1630–40, alternant is from the Latin word alternant- (stem of alternāns, present participle of alternāre). See altern, -ant

Words nearby alternant

altered state of consciousness, alter ego, alter idem, alterity, altern, alternant, alternate, alternate angles, alternate history, alternate host, alternately

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use alternant in a sentence

Vocibus alternant sensus, fraudisque jocos,Vim duplicem rident, lacrymosaque gaudia miscent.
The Punster's Pocket-book|Charles Molloy Westmacott

British Dictionary definitions for alternant

alternant

/ (ɔːlˈtɜːnənt) /

adjective

alternating

Word Origin for alternant

C17: from French, from Latin alternāre to alternate

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