Where does “altern” come from?
altern (English) comes from Latin alternus, from Latin alter, from Proto-Indo-European h₂élteros, from Proto-Indo-European h₂el- — to grow, nourish; beyond, other; to wander, roam.
altern (English): Acting by turns; alternate
Definitions
- Acting by turns; alternate
Ancestry of “altern”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | Latin | alternus | alternate , successive; interchangeable; mutual,... |
| 2 | Latin | alter | the other, the second; the one...the other |
| 3 | Proto-Indo-European | h₂élteros | other , second |
| 4 | Proto-Indo-European | h₂el- | to grow, nourish; beyond, other; to wander, roam |