alternating
UK: ˈɔːltəneɪtɪŋ | US: ˈɔːltərneɪtɪŋ
adj. occurring in turns or repeated cycles
v. (present participle of alternate) to take turns or switch repeatedly
Derived from Latin alternatus (past participle of alternare, meaning "to do by turns"), from alternus ("every other"), itself from alter ("other"). The core idea is cyclical change or switching between two states. The suffix -ing marks it as a present participle or adjective in English, preserving the original Latin root's sense of sequential variation.
The alternating current powers most household appliances.
She wore a dress with alternating stripes of blue and white.
The team used an alternating schedule to share the workspace fairly.
His mood kept alternating between joy and frustration.
The seasons follow an alternating pattern of growth and dormancy.