alternately, adv.
(ælˈtɜːnətlɪ, ɒl-)
[f. alternate a. + -ly2.]
1. In alternate order; one after the other by turns, by alternation, time about.
| 1552 Huloet, Alternatelye, or by turne. Subalternatim. 1646 Sir T. Browne Pseud. Ep. 96 Parallels or like relations alternately releeve each other. 1661 Grand Debate 68 Singing Psalmes alternately. 1781 Gibbon Decl. & F. II. xliii. 617 The sea alternately advanced and retreated. 1849 Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. 620 Lumley and Portman had alternately watched the Duke. 1880 Geikie Phys. Geog. iii. xviii. 154 The current runs alternately east and west. |
2. By taking the alternate terms; by permutation.
| 1695 W. Alingham Geom. Epit. 18 If A:B::C:D, then alternately compar'd it will be as A:C::B:D. |
3. In alternate positions, on each side in turn. alternately-pinnate: see alternate a. 10.
| 1751 Chambers Cycl. s.v. Alternate, There are also two external angles, alternately opposite to the internal one. 1821 S. Gray Nat. Arr. I. 72 Alternately disposed..Leaflets alternate, instead of being opposite and in pairs. |