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

alternating; alternate.

noun

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

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DO YOU KNOW THIS VOCABULARY FROM "THE HANDMAID'S TALE"?

"The Handmaid's Tale" was required reading for many of us in school. Everyone else has probably watched the very popular and addictive TV show. Do you remember this vocabulary from the book, and do you know what these terms mean?
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decorum
the act of or need for making up one's mind.
dignified propriety of behavior, speech, dress, etc.
a company of singers, especially an organized group employed in church service.
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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

altercation, altered chord, altered state of consciousness, altern, alternans, alternant, alternate, alternate angles, alternate binaural loudness balance test, alternate cover test, alternate hemianesthesia
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

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