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Alternative vs Deviation - What's the difference?

alternative | deviation |

As nouns the difference between alternative and deviation

is that alternative is a situation which allows a mutually exclusive choice between two or more possibilities; a choice between two or more possibilities while deviation is the act of deviating; a wandering from the way; variation from the common way, from an established rule, etc.; departure, as from the right course or the path of duty.

As an adjective alternative

is relating to a choice between two or more possibilities.

alternative

Adjective

(-)
  • 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)).
  • Other.
  • alternate; reciprocal
  • (Holland)

    Derived terms

    * alternative dispute resolution * alternative energy * alternative lifestyle * alternative medicine * alternative press * alternative vote

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A situation which allows a mutually exclusive choice between two or more possibilities; a choice between two or more possibilities.
  • * 1817 , (Walter Scott), Rob Roy , XI:
  • ‘The cloister or a betrothed husband?’ I echoed—‘Is that the alternative destined for Miss Vernon?’
  • One of several mutually exclusive things which can be chosen.
  • The remaining option; something available after other possibilities have been exhausted.
  • Synonyms

    * See also

    See also

    *

    References

    * * ----

    deviation

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • The act of deviating; a wandering from the way; variation from the common way, from an established rule, etc.; departure, as from the right course or the path of duty.
  • The state or result of having deviated; a transgression; an act of sin; an error; an offense.
  • (contract law) The voluntary and unnecessary departure of a ship from, or delay in, the regular and usual course of the specific voyage insured, thus releasing the underwriters from their responsibility.
  • (Absolute Deviation) The shortest distance between the center of the target and the point where a projectile hits or bursts.
  • (statistics) For interval variables and ratio variables, a measure of difference between the observed value and the mean.
  • (metrology) The signed difference between a value and its reference value.
  • Derived terms

    * absolute deviation * average deviation * deviation ratio * immune deviation * mean deviation * quartile deviation * relative deviation * sexual deviation * signed deviation * standard deviation