alternative
NOUN:
1. a choice limited to one of two or more possibilities, as of things, propositions, or courses of action, the selection of which precludes any other possibility:
You have the alternative of riding or walking.
2. one of the things, propositions, or courses of action that can be chosen:
The alternative to riding is walking.
3. a possible or remaining course or choice:
There was no alternative but to walk.
4. a possibility of choice, esp between two things, courses of action, etc.
5. either of such choices:
we took the alternative of walking.
6. a proposition or situation offering a choice between two or more things only one of which may be chosen:
a government facing the alternative of high taxes or poor highways.
7. an opportunity for deciding between two or more courses or propositions:
the alternative of going by train or by plane.
8. one of two or more things, courses, or propositions to be chosen:
The menu offered several vegetarian alternatives.
9. something which can be chosen instead:
The only alternative to intervention.
Origin:
First recorded in 1580–90; alternate + -ive. —Dictionary.com. // First Known Use of alternative: Adjective: 1540. Noun: 1576. History and Etymology for alternative: Adjective: borrowed from Middle French & Medieval Latin; Middle French alternatif "occurring by turns, alternating," borrowed from Medieval Latin alternātīvus, from Latin alternātus, past participle of alternāre "to ebb and flow, act in alternation, arrange in alternating order" + -īvus -ive — more at alternate entry 1. Noun: borrowed from French & Medieval Latin; French alternative, going back to Middle French, borrowed from Medieval Latin alternātīva, noun derivative from feminine of alternātīvus "occurring by turns" — more at alternative entry 1. —Merriam-Webster.
Sources: 1, 2.
Added: 10 June 2020 {5:52 PM}
1. a choice limited to one of two or more possibilities, as of things, propositions, or courses of action, the selection of which precludes any other possibility:
You have the alternative of riding or walking.
2. one of the things, propositions, or courses of action that can be chosen:
The alternative to riding is walking.
3. a possible or remaining course or choice:
There was no alternative but to walk.
4. a possibility of choice, esp between two things, courses of action, etc.
5. either of such choices:
we took the alternative of walking.
6. a proposition or situation offering a choice between two or more things only one of which may be chosen:
a government facing the alternative of high taxes or poor highways.
7. an opportunity for deciding between two or more courses or propositions:
the alternative of going by train or by plane.
8. one of two or more things, courses, or propositions to be chosen:
The menu offered several vegetarian alternatives.
9. something which can be chosen instead:
The only alternative to intervention.
Origin:
First recorded in 1580–90; alternate + -ive. —Dictionary.com. // First Known Use of alternative: Adjective: 1540. Noun: 1576. History and Etymology for alternative: Adjective: borrowed from Middle French & Medieval Latin; Middle French alternatif "occurring by turns, alternating," borrowed from Medieval Latin alternātīvus, from Latin alternātus, past participle of alternāre "to ebb and flow, act in alternation, arrange in alternating order" + -īvus -ive — more at alternate entry 1. Noun: borrowed from French & Medieval Latin; French alternative, going back to Middle French, borrowed from Medieval Latin alternātīva, noun derivative from feminine of alternātīvus "occurring by turns" — more at alternative entry 1. —Merriam-Webster.
Sources: 1, 2.
Added: 10 June 2020 {5:52 PM}