\Al*ter"na*tive\, a. [Cf. F. alternatif.]
1. Offering a choice of two things.
2. Disjunctive; as, an alternative conjunction.
3. Alternate; reciprocal. [Obs.] --Holland.

\Al*ter"na*tive\, n. [Cf. F. alternative, LL.
alternativa.]
1. An offer of two things, one of which may be chosen, but
   not both; a choice between two things, so that if one is
   taken, the other must be left.
         There is something else than the mere alternative of
         absolute destruction or unreformed existence.
                                               --Burke.
2. Either of two things or propositions offered to one's
   choice. Thus when two things offer a choice of one only,
   the two things are called {alternatives}.
         Having to choose between two alternatives, safety
         and war, you obstinately prefer the worse. --Jowett
                                               (Thucyd.).
3. The course of action or the thing offered in place of
   another.
         If this demand is refused the alternative is war.
                                               --Lewis.
         With no alternative but death.        --Longfellow.
4. A choice between more than two things; one of several
   things offered to choose among.
         My decided preference is for the fourth and last of
         these alternatives.                   --Gladstone.