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A usage, among diplomats, of rotation in precedence among representatives of equal rank, sometimes determined by lot and at other times in regular order. The practice obtains in the signing of treaties and conventions between nations.

ssion of time or place; by turns first one and then the other; hence, reciprocal. And bid alternate passions fall and rise. Pope.

In reciprocal succession; succeeding by turns; in alternate order.

The quality of being alternate, or of following by turns.

A current which periodically changes or reverses its direction of flow.

succession of things in time or place; the act of following and being followed by turns; alternate succession, performance, or occurrence; as, the alternation of day and night, cold and heat, summer and winter, hope and fear.

Disjunctive; as, an alternative conjunction.

In the manner of alternatives, or that admits the choice of one out of two things.

The quality of being alternative, or of offering a choice between two.

An electric generator or dynamo for producing alternating currents.

Subordinate; subaltern; inferior. All their subalternate and several kinds. Evelyn.

Subalternate; successive.

The state of being subalternate; succession of turns; subordination.

An intermittent fever, attended by alternate cold and hot fits.

Acting by turns; alternate. Milton. Altern base (Trig.), a second side made base, in distinction from a side previously regarded as base.

Alternateness; alternation. [R.] Mitford.

Composed of alternate layers, as some rocks.

Succession by turns; alternation. [R.] Sir T. Browne.

peculiar gait of a horse, in which both legs on the same side are moved at the same time, alternating with the legs on the other side. "A fine easy amble." B. Jonson.

In public bodies; Any alternation made or proposed to be made in a bill or motion by adding, changing, substituting, or omitting.