Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “alternation” come from?

Alternation comes from Latin alternatio, a noun formed with the suffix -tio from alter meaning "the other," itself derived from ad- "to" and an unattested root meaning "other."

alternation (English): The reciprocal succession of things in time or...

Definitions

  1. The reciprocal succession of things in time or...

Ancestry of “alternation”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Latinalternatiointerchange, alternation; alternative
2Latin-tiō—
3Latindissertātiō—
4Latindissertusarranged, disposed; explained
5Latindissereresecond-person singular future passive indicative...
6Latindis-asunder, apart, in two; reversal, removal;...
7Latincalceusshoe
8Latincalxlimestone; chalk; the finish line
9Ancient Greekχάλιξsmall stone, pebble; gravel, rubble
Every word from Ancient Greek χάλιξ →