Background for alternation

alternation

/ˈɒl.tə(ɹ).ˌneɪ.ʃən/ /ˈɑl.tɚ.ˌneɪ.ʃən/

Illustration alternation - Image 1

Illustration alternation - Image 2

noun

The reciprocal succession of (normally two) things in time or place; the act of following and being followed by turns; alternate succession, performance, or occurrence

Examples :

"alternation between night shifts and day shifts"

time process event

Illustration alternation - Image 1

noun

The response of the congregation speaking alternately with the minister.

Examples :

"The alternation of student questions and the teacher's explanations kept the class engaged. "

religion ritual communication

Illustration alternation - Image 1

noun

Examples :

"The vowel alternation in the words "sing," "sang," and "sung" is a classic example of ablaut in English. "

linguistics grammar phonetics word

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noun

A pattern by which more than one construct is possible, as with "Alice cooked Bob dinner" and "Alice cooked dinner for Bob".

Examples :

"dative alternation; locative alternation"

grammar language linguistics

Illustration alternation - Image 1

noun

The "inclusive or" truth function.

Examples :

"The cafeteria offers an alternation of either soup or salad with the main course; you can choose one, the other, or both. "

logic math philosophy computing

Illustration alternation - Image 1

noun

A sequence that alternates between positive and negative values; sometimes incorrectly used to mean permutation.

Examples :

"The team practiced the alternation of offensive and defensive drills to prepare for all scenarios in the game. "

math number statistics physics

Illustration alternation - Image 1

noun

A construct in a regular expression that can match any of several specified subexpressions.

Examples :

"The regular expression used alternation to allow matching either "cat" or "dog" in the text. "

computing language technical

Illustration alternation - Image 1

noun

A type of partial truncation of a polygon, polyhedron or tiling in which alternate vertices are removed.

Examples :

"The alternation of vertices on the square produced a shape that resembled a diamond. "