alternative
[ awl-tur-nuh-tiv, al- ]
/ ɔlˈtɜr nə tɪv, æl- /
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noun
a choice limited to one of two or more possibilities, as of things, propositions, or courses of action, the selection of which precludes any other possibility: You have the alternative of riding or walking.
one of the things, propositions, or courses of action that can be chosen: The alternative to riding is walking.
a possible or remaining course or choice: There was no alternative but to walk.
adjective
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Question 1 of 7
Let’s start with some etymology: What are the origins of the typographical word “bracket”?
First appeared around 1750, and is related to the French word “braguette” for the name of codpiece armor.
First appeared in 1610, based on the French word “baguette” for the long loaf of bread.
First appeared in 1555, and is related to the French word “raquette” for a netted bat.
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Also alternate (for defs. 1-4, 6).
synonym study for alternative
1. See choice.
OTHER WORDS FROM alternative
al·ter·na·tive·ly, adverbal·ter·na·tive·ness, al·ter·na·tiv·i·ty [awl-tur-nuh-tiv-i-tee, al-], /ɔlˌtɜr nəˈtɪv ɪ ti, æl-/, nounqua·si-al·ter·na·tive, adjectiveWORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH alternative
alternate, alternativeWords nearby alternative
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for alternative
British Dictionary definitions for alternative
alternative
/ (ɔːlˈtɜːnətɪv) /
noun
a possibility of choice, esp between two things, courses of action, etc
either of such choiceswe took the alternative of walking
adjective
presenting a choice, esp between two possibilities only
(of two things) mutually exclusive
denoting a lifestyle, culture, art form, etc, regarded by its adherents as preferable to that of contemporary society because it is less conventional, materialistic, or institutionalized, and, often, more in harmony with nature
logic another word for disjunctive (def. 3)
Derived forms of alternative
alternatively, adverbalternativeness, nounCollins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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