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Webster 1913 Edition

Alternative

Al-ter′na-tive

,
Adj.
[Cf. F.
alternatif
.]
1.
Offering a choice of two things.
2.
Disjunctive;
as, an
alternative
conjunction
.
3.
Alternate; reciprocal.
[Obs.]
Holland.

Al-ter′na-tive

,
Noun.
[Cf. F.
alternative
, LL.
alternativa
.]
1.
An offer of two things, one of which may be chosen, but not both; a choice between two things, so that if one is taken, the other must be left.
There is something else than the mere
alternative
of absolute destruction or unreformed existence.
Burke.
2.
Either of two things or propositions offered to one’s choice. Thus when two things offer a choice of one only, the two things are called
alternatives
.
Having to choose between two
alternatives
, safety and war, you obstinately prefer the worse.
Jowett (Thucyd.).
3.
The course of action or the thing offered in place of another.
If this demand is refused the
alternative
is war.
Lewis.
With no
alternative
but death.
Longfellow.
4.
A choice between more than two things; one of several things offered to choose among.
My decided preference is for the fourth and last of these
alternatives
.
Gladstone.

Webster 1828 Edition

Alternative

ALTERN'ATIVE

,
Adj.
Offering a choice of two things.

ALTERN'ATIVE

,
Noun.
That which may be chosen or omitted; a choice of two things, so that if one is taken, the other must be left. Thus, when two things offer a choice of one only, the two things are called alternatives. In strictness, then, the word can not be applied to more than two things, and when one thing only is offered for choice, it is said there is no alternative.
Between these alternatives there is no middle ground.

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