alternate
UK[ˈɔːltəneɪt]US[ˈɔːltərneɪt]
v
To occur or follow by turns; to repeatedly switch between two states or actions.
adj
Happening or following in turns; succeeding each other continuously.
n
A person who is designated to take the place of another if necessary.
Morpheme Breakdown
alter
nate
alter
other
nate
verb suffix
Etymology
The word "alternate" originates from the Latin past participle alternatus, meaning "done by turns," which itself derives from alternare (to do by turns). This verb is built upon alter, meaning "the other (of two)," a comparative form whose ultimate source is the Proto-Indo-European root \al- (beyond). The core logic is embedded in the root alter: the concept of "the other one" naturally leads to the idea of switching back and forth between two options or states. Over time, the meaning expanded from the literal sense of taking turns to encompass any form of repeated substitution or intermittent occurrence, while retaining its fundamental link to duality and change.
Analysis
Structure: alter (other) + nate (verb suffix)
- alter: From Latin alter (other, one of two). It functions as the core root conveying the sense of "otherness" or "change to another state".
- nate: A verb-forming suffix from Latin -natus, the past participle ending of verbs like nasci (to be born), which evolved into a general suffix indicating action or state.
Examples
The lights will alternate between red and green.
She attends the meeting on alternate Wednesdays.
He served as an alternate delegate to the conference.