alternant

1 of 2

adjective

al·​ter·​nant

ˈȯltə(r)nənt also ˈal-;

chiefly British ȯlˈtə̄n- also alˈt-

: alternating

alternant

2 of 2

noun

"

plural -s

1

mathematics : a determinant the constituents of whose different rows are (in order) the same set of functions of different variables, the same variable appearing in each row and the same function in each column, the terms row and column here being interchangeable

2

: one of the statements in logic composing an alternation

3

: any of the nonsignificant variants (as an allomorph or allophone) that together constitute a significant linguistic category

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Latin alternant-, alternans, present participle of alternare to alternate

First Known Use

Adjective

circa 1640, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1878, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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