alternation

[ awl-ter-ney-shuhn, al- ]

noun

1. the act or process of alternating or the state of being alternated.
2. alternate succession; repeated rotation:

   the alternation of the seasons.

3. Electricity. a single fluctuation in the absolute value of an alternating current or voltage from zero to a maximum and back to zero, being equal to one half cycle.
4. Linguistics. variation in the form of a linguistic unit as it occurs in different environments or under different conditions, as between the -ed and -en forms of the past participle in danced and spoken or between the (t) and (d) pronunciations of the past tense suffix -ed in hopped and rubbed.

alternation

/ ˌɔːltəˈneɪʃən /

noun

1. successive change from one condition or action to another and back again repeatedly
2. logic another name for disjunction

Word History and Origins

Origin of alternation¹

First recorded in 1605–15, alternation is from the Late Latin word alternātiōn- (stem of alternātiō ). See alternate, -ion

Example Sentences

The alternation between analytic calm and hysteria can be exhausting.

From Los Angeles Times

The variety of locations, the alternation of tone and predicaments as the series skips between threads, keeps it from becoming too emotionally, too existentially wearing.

From Los Angeles Times

Also, recordings of a kind of electrical dialog between fish featured highly-precise turn-taking in which the fish emitted their electrical discharges in strict alternation.

From Science Daily

That alternation between the serious and the absurd was the series’ stock in trade.

From Los Angeles Times

Fateyev argued that Fadeyeva was being punished by the authorities “for legal and open political activity, for fighting against corruption, for demanding alternation of power.”

From Washington Times