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Webster 1913 Edition


Altern

Al′tern

,
Adj.
[L.
alternus
, fr.
alter
another: cf. F.
alterne
.]
Acting by turns; alternate.
Milton.
Altern base
(Trig.)
,
a second side made base, in distinction from a side previously regarded as base.

Webster 1828 Edition


Altern

AL'TERN

a. [L. alternus, of alter, another.]
1.
Acting by turns; one succeeding another; alternate, which is the word generally used.
2.
In crystallography, exhibiting, on two parts, an upper and a lower part, faces which alternate among themselves, but which, when the two parts are compared, correspond with each other.
Altern-base, in trigonometry, is a term used in distinction from the true base. Thus in oblique triangles, the true base is the sum of the sides, and then the difference of the sides is the altern-base; or the true base is the difference of the sides, and then the sum of the sides is the altern-base.

Definition 2024


Altern

Altern

See also: altern

German

Noun

Altern n

  1. dative plural of Alter

altern

altern

See also: Altern

English

Adjective

altern (not comparable)

  1. Acting by turns; alternate.
    (Can we find and add a quotation of Milton to this entry?)

Derived terms

  • altern base


German

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈʔaltɐn/

Verb

altern (third-person singular simple present altert, past tense alterte, past participle gealtert, auxiliary sein)

  1. to age

Conjugation