Se dit de deux choses qui agissent continuellement et tour ŕ tour. La systole et la diastole du coeur sont deux mouvements alternatifs.
ETYM Latin alternatus, p. p. of alternate, from alternus. Related to Altern, Alter.
1. Allowing a choice; SYN. alternative.<br />
2. Occurring by turns; first one and then the other; SYN. alternating.
3. Every second one of a series; SYN. every other.
4. (Botany) Of leaves and branches etc; first on one side and then on the other in two ranks along an axis; not paired.
(Electricity) Of a current that reverses direction at regular intervals.
ETYM Cf. French alternatif.
1. Necessitating a choice between mutually exclusive possibilities; SYN. mutually exclusive.
2. Pertaining to unconventional choices.