alternis Latin · revision 32388

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=96–55 BC, Lucretius|origins=la alter}}

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''alternīs''' (not comparable)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is the ablative plural of [[m|la|alternus|t=alternate]], used as an adverb;^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)^(Gaffiot 2016) [[m|la|alternus]] is made from [[m|la|alter|t=the other of two]].^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The OLD's earliest example is in Lucretius, of matter separated from void in alternation.^(OLD 2012)^(Conte 2010)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It means in alternate places or one after the other by turns: Varro says that bees sleep and work by turns.^(OLD 2012)^(Conte 2010) It is also used of alternate days or years, as when Livy explains that the two consuls held command on alternate days.^(OLD 2012)^(Gaffiot 2016) Vitruvius, Seneca and Pliny the Younger use alternīs … alternīs for “now … now”.^(Gaffiot 2016)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 96–55 BC – Lucretius of matter and void in alternation.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 116–27 BC – Varro of bees sleeping and working by turns.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 59 BC–17 AD – Livy of consuls commanding on alternate days.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adverb===

+ # In alternate positions, [[m|en|alternately]].^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # By turns, one after the other.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)^(Gaffiot 2016)

+ # On alternate days; in alternate years or seasons.^(OLD 2012)

+ # alternīs … alternīs, now … now.^(Gaffiot 2016)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[alternus]]

+ * [[alter]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}