What is an 'alternate' definition? In English, it would be a definition which alternated with another: so that, for example, one definition would apply during one week; and another would be used the following week; then the first usage would be adopted the next week, and change again the week after. They would be 'alternating'. This does not make sense to me. In fact languges would be in an awful pickle if this sort of thing went on. Humpty Dumpty Land! I hear and read the adjectival 'alternate' apparently used this way in many contexts where it makes no sense. Last week, I heard that Anwar Ibrahim might be viewed as an 'alternate' Prime Minister of Malaysia. Such an equitable arrangement, one might think - so much less unseemly squabble! Pigs, and UMNO with them, might fly, too!