alternatively








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.

adjective

  1. affording a choice of two or more things, propositions, or courses of action.
  2. (of two things, propositions, or courses) mutually exclusive so that if one is chosen the other must be rejected: The alternative possibilities are neutrality and war.
  3. employing or following nontraditional or unconventional ideas, methods, etc.; existing outside the establishment: an alternative newspaper; alternative lifestyles.
  4. Logic. (of a proposition) asserting two or more choices, at least one of which is true.

noun

  1. a possibility of choice, esp between two things, courses of action, etc
  2. either of such choiceswe took the alternative of walking

adjective

  1. presenting a choice, esp between two possibilities only
  2. (of two things) mutually exclusive
  3. denoting a lifestyle, culture, art form, etc, regarded by its adherents as preferable to that of contemporary society because it is less conventional, materialistic, or institutionalized, and, often, more in harmony with nature
  4. logic another word for disjunctive (def. 3)
adj.

1580s, “offering one or the other of two,” from Medieval Latin alternativus, from Latin alternatus, past participle of alternare (see alternate (v.)). Meaning “purporting to be a superior choice to what is in general use” was current by 1970 (earliest reference is to the media); e.g. alternative energy (1975). Related: Alternatively.

n.

1620s, in rhetoric, from Medieval Latin alternativus (see alternative (adj.)). Of courses of action, from 1814. Of objects, etc., “the other of two which may be chosen,” by 1838.

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