alternant

[ awl-tur-nuh nt, al- or, esp. British, awl-tur-nuh nt, al- ]

/ ˈɔl tɜr nənt, ˈæl- or, esp. British, ɔlˈtɜr nənt, æl- /

adjective

noun

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

Nearby words

altercation, altered chord, altered state of consciousness, altern, alternans, alternant, alternate, alternate angles, alternate binaural loudness balance test, alternate cover test, alternate hemianesthesia

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

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

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