A Quick and Simple Dictionary

alternate

1. Adjective.  Being or succeeding by turns; one following the other in succession of time or place; by turns first one and then the other; hence, reciprocal.
2. Adjective.  (mathematics) Designating the members in a series, which regularly intervene between the members of another series, as the odd or even numbers of the numerals; every other; every second.
3. Adjective.  (US) Other or alternative.
4. Adjective.  (botany) Distributed, as leaves, singly at different heights of the stem, and at equal intervals as respects angular divergence. --Gray.
5. Noun.  That which alternates with something else; vicissitude.
6. Noun.  A substitute; an alternative; one designated to take the place of another, if necessary, in performing some duty.
7. Noun.  (mathematics) A proportion derived from another proportion by interchanging the means.
8. Noun.  (US) A replacement of equal or greater value or function.
9. Noun.  (heraldry) Figures or tinctures that succeed each other by turns.
10. Verb.  (transitive) To perform by turns, or in succession; to cause to succeed by turns; to interchange regularly.
11. Verb.  (intransitive) To happen, succeed, or act by turns; to follow reciprocally in place or time;—followed by with.
12. Verb.  (intransitive) To vary by turns.