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Alternate vs Opposite - What's the difference?

alternate | opposite |

In mathematics terms the difference between alternate and opposite

is that alternate is a proportion derived from another proportion by interchanging the means while opposite is an additive inverse.

As adjectives the difference between alternate and opposite

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 opposite is located directly across from something else, or from each other.

As nouns the difference between alternate and opposite

is that alternate is that which alternates with something else; vicissitude while opposite is something opposite or contrary to another.

As a verb alternate

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

As an adverb opposite is

in an opposite position.

As a preposition opposite is

facing, or across from.

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

    opposite

    English

    Alternative forms

    * (l) (archaic)

    Adjective

    (-)
  • Located directly across from something else, or from each other.
  • She saw him walking on the opposite side of the road.
  • Facing in the other direction.
  • They were moving in opposite directions.
  • Of either of two complementary or mutually exclusive things.
  • He has a lot of success with the opposite sex.
  • Extremely different; inconsistent; contrary; repugnant; antagonistic.
  • * Dryden
  • Novels, by which the reader is misled into another sort of pieasure opposite to that which is designed in an epic poem.
  • * John Locke
  • Particles of speech have divers, and sometimes almost opposite , significations.

    Derived terms

    * opposite sex

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • Something opposite or contrary to another.
  • An opponent.
  • An antonym.
  • "Up" is the opposite of "down".
  • (mathematics) An additive inverse.
  • Derived terms

    * opposites attract

    Adverb

    (-)
  • In an opposite position.
  • I was on my seat and she stood opposite .

    Preposition

    (English prepositions)
  • Facing, or across from.
  • :
  • *
  • *:It was April 22, 1831, and a young man was walking down Whitehall in the direction of Parliament Street.. He halted opposite the Privy Gardens, and, with his face turned skywards, listened until the sound of the Tower guns smote again on the ear and dispelled his doubts.
  • In a complementary role to.
  • :
  • See also

    * apposite

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