[f. prec., or on analogy of vbs. so formed; formerly accented alte·rnate.]
1. trans. To arrange, do or perform (two sets of things) each after the other continuously; to do (a thing) in two ways alternately; to cause to occur or succeed in alternation.
1599. Sandys, Europæ Spec. (1632), 239. Their Liturgy is intermedled much with singing … grave, alternated, and braunched with divers parts.
1667. Milton, P. L., V. 657. Who in their course Melodious Hymns about the sovran Throne Alternate all night long.
1701. Grew, Cosm. Sacra, III. ii. 104 (J.). The most High God, in all things appertaining unto this Life, for sundry wise Ends, alternates the Distribution of Good and Evil.
2. To interchange (one thing) by turns with, or to cause (a thing) to succeed and be succeeded by, another continuously.
1850. Merivale, Rom. Emp., IV. xxxviii. 317. The Envoys of Maroboduus were instructed to alternate a tone of respect and deference … with the boldest assertions of equality.
1859. Mrs. Schimmelpenninck, Pric. Beauty, I. xi. § 39. 114. Always alternating an Active by a Passive style.
† 3. To change the other way, to reverse. Obs. rare.
1595. Markham, Sir R. Grinvile, xliii. Yet may thy power alternat heauens doome.
4. intr. Of two or more things: To succeed each other by turns, in time or space.
1700. Dryden, Pal. & Arc., III. 882. Good after ill, and after pain, delight, Alternate, like the scenes of day and night.
1705. J. Philips, Blenheim, V. 339 (T.). Rage, shame and grief alternate in his breast.
1850. T. T. Lynch, Theoph. Trin., ii. 23. Great souls in whom dark and bright alternated.
1875. Stubbs, Const. Hist., II. xiv. 1. The fortunes of parties alternate.
5. intr. Of a whole: To consist of alternations, to vary in two directions by turns. Const. between.
1823. Lamb, Elia (1860), 294. The scene [shall] only alternate between Bath and Bond Street.
1847. Disraeli, Tancred, III. vii. (1871), 229. A land which alternates between plains of sand and dull ranges of monotonous hills.
6. intr. Of one thing, or class of things: To come or appear in alternate order with another, in time or space.
1831. Carlyle, Sart. Res. (1858), 47. Thus does famine of intelligence alternate with waste.
1858. Lewes, Sea-side Studies, 87. Alternating with these are placed others of similar structure.
1876. Freeman, Norm. Conq., II. vii. 76. Those periods of decay … alternate with periods of regeneration.
