alternant
Interchangeable linguistic form
An alternant is one of two or more forms that alternate in a pattern.
In linguistics, alternants are variant forms of a morpheme that appear in different contexts—the sounds at the end of *cats*, *dogs*, and *horses* are alternants of the English plural.
In chemistry, alternant describes certain arrangements of atoms in molecular structures.
The word functions as both noun and adjective.
Non-distinctive sound variation
- phonemeMinimal distinctive sound unit
- ablautVowel gradation in morphology
- morphemeSmallest meaningful language unit
- paradigmGoverning framework of thought
inflection · conjugation · declension · stem · root · affix · syncretism · umlaut
Same formula, different shape
- tautomerInterconverting molecular form
- conformerOne who follows norms
- enantiomerMirror-image molecular variant
- valenceCombining power measure
Ordered succession of elements
- permutationArrangement in specific order
- cyclicRepeating in sequence
- generatorElectricity-producing machine
- substitutionExchange of one for another
transposition · orbit · period · combinatorics · arrangement · ordering
allophone
Non-distinctive sound variation
- phonemeMinimal distinctive sound unit
- ablautVowel gradation in morphology
- morphemeSmallest meaningful language unit
paradigm · inflection · conjugation · declension · stem · root · affix · syncretism · umlaut · assimilation
isomer
Same formula, different shape
- tautomerInterconverting molecular form
- conformerOne who follows norms
- enantiomerMirror-image molecular variant
valence · stereoisomer · equilibrium · hybrid
sequence
Ordered succession of elements
- permutationArrangement in specific order
- cyclicRepeating in sequence
- generatorElectricity-producing machine
substitution · transposition · orbit · period · combinatorics · arrangement · ordering
- no alternativeSole available course
- alternative routeSecondary path available
- alternate routeSecondary path to destination
- alternate universeHypothetical divergent reality
- alternate realityHypothetical different version of existence
- alternative universeHypothetical divergent reality
alternative, alternate, alternating, alternatives, alternates, alternately, alternatively, alternated, alternation