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Alternate vs Optional - What's the difference?

alternate | optional |

As adjectives the difference between alternate and optional

is that alternate is being or succeeding by turns; one following the other in succession of time or place; by turns first one and then the other; hence, reciprocal while optional is not compulsory; left to personal choice; elective.

As a noun alternate

is that which alternates with something else; vicissitude.

As a verb alternate

is to perform by turns, or in succession; to cause to succeed by turns; to interchange regularly.

alternate

English

(Webster 1913)

Adjective

(-)
  • Being or succeeding by turns; one following the other in succession of time or place; by turns first one and then the other; hence, reciprocal.
    • And bid alternate passions fall and rise . -
  • (mathematics) Designating the members in a series, which regularly intervene between the members of another series, as the odd or even numbers of the numerals; every other; every second.
    • the alternate members 1, 3, 5, 7, etc.
  • (US) Other; alternative.
    • Hyperlinked text is displayed in alternate color in a Web browser.
  • (botany) Distributed, as leaves, singly at different heights of the stem, and at equal intervals as respects angular divergence.
    • (Gray)

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • That which alternates with something else; vicissitude.
  • * Matthew Prior
    • Grateful alternates of substantial.
  • (US) A substitute; an alternative; one designated to take the place of another, if necessary, in performing some duty.
  • (mathematics) A proportion derived from another proportion by interchanging the means.
  • (US) A replacement of equal or greater value or function.
  • (heraldry) Figures or tinctures that succeed each other by turns.

    • Verb

    (alternat)
  • To perform by turns, or in succession; to cause to succeed by turns; to interchange regularly.
  • * Grew
    • The most high God, in all things appertaining unto this life, for sundry wise ends alternates the disposition of good and evil.
  • To happen, succeed, or act by turns; to follow reciprocally in place or time; followed by with .
    • The flood and ebb tides alternate with each other.
  • To vary by turns.
    • ''The land alternates between rocky hills and sandy plains.

    Derived terms

    * alternate allegation * alternate angles * alternate generation * alternately * alternation

    See also

    * alternative * variant

    External links

    * * * * * alternate in The Online Etymology Dictionary English heteronyms ----

    optional

    English

    Adjective

    (-)
  • Not compulsory; left to personal choice; elective.
    • On that beach clothing is entirely optional .

    Antonyms

    * obligatory * mandatory * compulsory

    Related terms

    * option * optionality