alternation

Meanings

1. 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. 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. 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. 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.

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

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