alternation

C2 Topic:Abstract Ideas

US /ˈɔl.tɚˌneɪ.ʃən/ UK /ˈɒl.tə(ɹ)ˌneɪ.ʃən/ See IPA manual

Freq #101447

Meanings

1

noun
successive change from one thing or state to another and back again

A trill is a rapid alternation between the two notes.
2

noun
The reciprocal succession of (normally two) things in time or place; the act of following and being followed by turns; alternate succession, performance, or occurrence

The alternation of day and night.
3

noun
The response of the congregation speaking alternately with the minister.

There are Anthems to be found amongst them , where every syllable has its just length ; each part of a sentence its proper pause : where the words are not confused by perplexing alternations, or rendered tedious by unnecessary repetitions.
4

noun
A pattern by which more than one construct is possible, as with "Alice cooked Bob dinner" and "Alice cooked dinner for Bob".

Dative alternation; locative alternation.

Thesaurus

Word family

Derived forms alternationalnonalternation

Etymology

Learned borrowing from Latin alternatio; compare French alternation. By surface analysis, alternate + -ion.

Topics

Abstract Ideas Word Formation & Derivatives

External links

# alternation

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2
**Part of speech:** noun
**IPA (US):** /ˈɔl.tɚˌneɪ.ʃən/
**IPA (UK):** /ˈɒl.tə(ɹ)ˌneɪ.ʃən/
**Frequency rank:** 101447

## Meanings
1. successive change from one thing or state to another and back again
2. The reciprocal succession of (normally two) things in time or place; the act of following and being followed by turns; alternate succession, performance, or occurrence
3. The response of the congregation speaking alternately with the minister.
4. A pattern by which more than one construct is possible, as with "Alice cooked Bob dinner" and "Alice cooked dinner for Bob".

## Examples
- A trill is a rapid alternation between the two notes.
- The alternation of day and night.
- There are Anthems to be found amongst them , where every syllable has its just length ; each part of a sentence its proper pause : where the words are not confused by perplexing alternations, or rendered tedious by unnecessary repetitions.
- Dative alternation; locative alternation.

## Derived Forms
- alternational
- nonalternation

## Etymology
Learned borrowing from Latin alternatio; compare French alternation. By surface analysis, alternate + -ion.

## Topics
- Abstract Ideas
- Word Formation & Derivatives

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