al|ter|na|tive

al|ter|na|tive: al|ter|na|tive «l TUR nuh tihv, al-», noun, adjective.

–n.

1. a choice between two things: »Her father gave her the alternative of staying in high school or going to work.
SYNONYM(S): See syn. under choice. (Cf. ↑choice)

2. a choice from among more than two things: »If you don't want steak for dinner, there are several alternatives.
SYNONYM(S): selection. See syn. under choice. (Cf. ↑choice)

3. one of the things to be chosen: »She chose the first alternative and stayed in school. My decided preference is for the fourth and last of these alternatives (William E. Gladstone).

–adj.

1. giving or requiring a choice between only two things: »We discussed the alternative plans of having a picnic or taking a trip on a boat.

2. giving a choice from among more than two things: »There are several alternative routes from Chicago to New York.

–al|ter´na|tive|ness, noun.

Usage Alternative comes from the Latin word alter, meaning “other” or “the second of two.” Some formal writers, mindful of origin, confine its meaning to one of two possibilits, but it is commonly used to mean one of several possibilities.

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in|ter´pre|tive|ly — in|ter|pre|tive «ihn TUR pruh tihv», adjective. = interpretative. (Cf. ↑interpretative) –in|ter´pre|tive|ly, adverb … Useful english dictionary
in|ter|pre|tive — «ihn TUR pruh tihv», adjective. = interpretative. (Cf. ↑interpretative) –in|ter´pre|tive|ly, adverb … Useful english dictionary
al|ter|a|tive — «L tuh RAY tihv», adjective, noun. –adj. 1. causing change; having the power to cause change. 2. gradually restoring the healthy bodily functions. –n. a remedy that gradually restores health … Useful english dictionary
al|ter|na|tive|ly — «l TUR nuh tihv lee, al », adverb. in an alternative manner; in a manner that admits the choice or possibility of one out of two things … Useful english dictionary
coun|ter|ac|tive — «KOWN tuhr AK tihv», adjective, noun. –adj. tending to counteract. –n. something that counteracts … Useful english dictionary
in|ter|ac|tive — «IHN tuhr AK tihv», adjective. 1. acting on each other. 2. of a computer, acting in response to directions from a computer user who then bases succeeding actions on the computer s responses: »“Interactive,”…means that what you do influences what… … Useful english dictionary
in|ter|cep|tive — «IHN tuhr SEHP tihv», adjective. that serves to intercept … Useful english dictionary
in|ter|dic|tive — «IHN tuhr DIHK tihv», adjective. = interdictory. (Cf. ↑interdictory) … Useful english dictionary
in|ter|jec|tive — «IHN tuhr JEHK tihv», adjective. that interjects; interjectory: »[He] writes what might be called interjective prose he frequently interrupts himself for digressions (New Yorker) … Useful english dictionary
in|ter|rup|tive — «IHN tuh RUHP tihv», adjective. tending to interrupt … Useful english dictionary

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al|ter|na|tive

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