Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Alternative
Al-ter′na-tive
,Adj.
[Cf. F.
alternatif
.] 1.
Offering a choice of two things.
2.
Disjunctive;
as, an
. alternative
conjunction3.
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.
ALTERN'ATIVE
,Noun.
Between these alternatives there is no middle ground.
Definition 2024
Alternative
Alternative
See also: alternative
German
Noun
Alternative f (genitive Alternative, plural Alternativen)
Declension
Declension of Alternative
| singular | plural | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| indef. | def. | noun | def. | noun | |
| nominative | eine | die | Alternative | die | Alternativen |
| genitive | einer | der | Alternative | der | Alternativen |
| dative | einer | der | Alternative | den | Alternativen |
| accusative | eine | die | Alternative | die | Alternativen |
alternative
alternative
See also: Alternative
English
Adjective
alternative (not comparable)
- Relating to a choice between two or more possibilities
- an alternative proposition
- Not traditional, outside the mainstream, underground (e.g., alternative medicine, alternative lifestyle, alternative rock).
- (Can we clean up(+) this sense?) Other.
- alternate; reciprocal
- (Can we find and add a quotation of Holland to this entry?)
Derived terms
Terms derived from alternative
Related terms
Translations
Relating to a choice
|
|
other
|
|
Noun
alternative (plural alternatives)
- A situation which allows a mutually exclusive choice between two or more possibilities; a choice between two or more possibilities. [from 17th c.]
- 1817, Walter Scott, Rob Roy, XI:
- ‘The cloister or a betrothed husband?’ I echoed—‘Is that the alternative destined for Miss Vernon?’
- 1817, Walter Scott, Rob Roy, XI:
- One of several mutually exclusive things which can be chosen. [from 17th c.]
- The remaining option; something available after other possibilities have been exhausted. [from 18th c.]
Synonyms
- See also Wikisaurus:option
Translations
a situation which allows a choice between two or more possibilities
|
|
one of several things which can be chosen
|
|
See also
References
- alternative in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
- alternative in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911
French
Pronunciation
Adjective
alternative
- feminine singular of alternatif
Noun
alternative f (plural alternatives)
Italian
Noun
alternative f
- plural of alternativa
Adjective
alternative
- feminine plural of alternativo