alternation
/ˈɔl.tɚˌneɪ.ʃən/
Word Rarity
Rare
Frequency: 2.53 in modern English
11
Scrabble Score
11
Letters
4
Syllables
8
Unique Chars
Meaning
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
Countable; Uncountable
noun
The response of the congregation speaking alternately with the minister.
Countable; Uncountable
noun
A pattern by which more than one construct is possible, as with "Alice cooked Bob dinner" and "Alice cooked dinner for Bob".
Countable; Uncountable
noun
A construct in a regular expression that can match any of several specified subexpressions.
Countable; Uncountable
Example Sentences
- "the alternation of day and night"
- "alternation of summer and winter"
- "alternation between night shifts and day shifts"
- "alternation of feelings between hope and fear"
- "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"
- "dative alternation; locative alternation"
Etymology
Learned borrowing from Latin alternatio; compare French alternation. By surface analysis, alternate + -ion.
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /ˈɔl.tɚˌneɪ.ʃən/
- British English: /ˈɒl.tə(ɹ)ˌneɪ.ʃən/