alterne

noun

al·​terne

ˈȯlˌtərn

plural -s

: one of a group of adjoining plant communities usually sharply differentiated from one another

a grass alterne on the southward-facing slope of a ridge contrasted with forest alterne on the northward-facing slope

Word History

Etymology

French, from alterne, adjective, alternate, from Latin alternus

First Known Use

1916, in the meaning defined above

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