alternallyadv.
/ɔːlˈtəːnl̩i/, /ɒlˈtəːnl̩i/, /ɔːlˈtəːnəli/, /ɒlˈtəːnəli/, U.S. /ɔlˈtərnəli/, /ɑlˈtərnəli/ Now rare.
= alternately adv.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > change > alternation > [adverb]
changeablyc1384
alternately1432
interchangeably1483
handy-dandya1529
time about1537
by course1548
at (by) intervals1588
alternatively1591
reciprocally1603
by reprises1607
alternally1627
alterably1635
altern1667
alternate1715
by vicissitudes1749
alternatingly1845
1627 T. May tr. Lucan Pharsalia (new ed.) iv. 7 Their men obey'd Alternally both Generales commands [L. tutelaque valli pervigil alterno paret custodia signo].
a1641 H. Spelman Protestants Acct. of Orthodox Holding (1642) 17 The Psalms should..be read alternally betwixt the Minister and the Congregation.
1839 Amer. Med. Intelligencer 1 Nov. 236 The mucous membrane..was in a state of chronic catarrhal inflammation, alternally calming down and becoming aggravated.
1864 W. S. Dodge Hist. Old Second Div. v. 90 Colonel Willich threw two companies of his regiment across the river, as pickets, relieving them alternally.
1906 Phillipine Jrnl. Sci. 31 Dec. 351 Spikelets 1 to 2-seriate, close-set on the underside of the flat rhachis of a simple spike, the spikes alternally arranged in a simple raceme.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, November 2010; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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adv.1627