allot : Dictionary / Wörterbuch (BEOLINGUS, TU Chemnitz)

   a lot
         adv 1: to a very great degree or extent; "I feel a lot better";
                  "we enjoyed ourselves very much"; "she was very much
                  interested"; "this would help a great deal" [syn: {a
                  lot}, {lots}, {a good deal}, {a great deal}, {much},
                  {very much}]

English Dictionary: allot	by the DICT Development Group
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
Aalto n Finnish architect and designer of furniture (1898-1976) Synonym(s): Aalto, Alvar Aalto, Hugo Alvar Henrik Aalto
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
alate adj (of seeds or insects) having winglike extensions; "alate leaves"; "alate seeds of a maple tree" Synonym(s): alate, alated
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
Alauda n type genus of the Alaudidae: skylarks [syn: Alauda, genus Alauda]
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
Aleut n a member of the people inhabiting the Aleutian Islands and southwestern Alaska Synonym(s): Aleut, Aleutian a community of Native Americans who speak an Eskimo-Aleut language and inhabit the Aleutian Islands and southwestern Alaska; "the Aleut and the Eskimo are related culturally and linguistically" the language spoken by the Aleut
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
all the way adv to the goal; "she climbed the mountain all the way" [syn: all the way, the whole way] completely; "read the book clear to the end"; "slept clear through the night"; "there were open fields clear to the horizon" Synonym(s): clear, all the way not stopping short of sexual intercourse; "she went all the way with him"
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
all too adv to a high degree; "she is all too ready to accept the job" Synonym(s): all too, only too
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
all-out adj using all available resources; "all-out war"; "a full- scale campaign against nuclear power plants" Synonym(s): all- out, full-scale
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
allied adj related by common characteristics or ancestry; "allied species"; "allied studies" of or relating to or denoting the Allies in World War II; "an Allied victory"; "the Allied armies" of or relating to or denoting the Allies in World War I; "an allied offensive"; "the Allied powers" united in a confederacy or league Synonym(s): allied, confederate, confederative joined by treaty or agreement
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
allot v give out; "We were assigned new uniforms" [syn: assign, allot, portion] allow to have; "grant a privilege" Synonym(s): accord, allot, grant administer or bestow, as in small portions; "administer critical remarks to everyone present"; "dole out some money"; "shell out pocket money for the children"; "deal a blow to someone"; "the machine dispenses soft drinks" Synonym(s): distribute, administer, mete out, deal, parcel out, lot, dispense, shell out, deal out, dish out, allot, dole out
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
alloyed adj (used of metals) debased by mixture with an inferior element (used of metals) blended to obtain a desired property
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
allude v make a more or less disguised reference to; "He alluded to the problem but did not mention it" Synonym(s): allude, touch, advert
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
ally with v unite formally; of interest groups or countries
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
Alouatta n howler monkeys Synonym(s): Alouatta, genus Alouatta
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
aloud adv using the voice; not silently; "please read the passage aloud"; "he laughed out loud" Synonym(s): aloud, out loud with relatively high volume; "the band played loudly"; "she spoke loudly and angrily"; "he spoke loud enough for those at the back of the room to hear him"; "cried aloud for help" Synonym(s): loudly, loud, aloud Antonym(s): quietly, softly
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
ALT n angular distance above the horizon (especially of a celestial object) Synonym(s): elevation, EL, altitude, ALT
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
althaea n any of various plants of the genus Althaea; similar to but having smaller flowers than genus Alcea Synonym(s): althea, althaea, hollyhock
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
althea n any of various plants of the genus Althaea; similar to but having smaller flowers than genus Alcea Synonym(s): althea, althaea, hollyhock
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
alto adj of or being the lowest female voice [syn: alto, contralto] of or being the highest male voice; having a range above that of tenor Synonym(s): countertenor, alto (of a musical instrument) second highest member of a group; "alto clarinet or recorder" n a singer whose voice lies in the alto clef the lowest female singing voice Synonym(s): contralto, alto the highest adult male singing voice Synonym(s): countertenor, alto (of a musical instrument) the second highest instrument in a family of musical instruments the pitch range of the lowest female voice
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
auld adj a Scottish word; "auld lang syne"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Ahold \A*hold"\, adv. [Pref. a- + hold.] Near the wind; as, to lay a ship ahold. [Obs.] --Shak.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Ail \Ail\ ([amac]l), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Ailed} ([amac]ld); p. pr. & vb. n. {Ailing}.] [OE. eilen, ailen, AS. eglan to trouble, pain; akin to Goth. us-agljan to distress, agls troublesome, irksome, aglo, aglitha, pain, and prob. to E. awe. [root]3.] To affect with pain or uneasiness, either physical or mental; to trouble; to be the matter with; -- used to express some uneasiness or affection, whose cause is unknown; as, what ails the man? I know not what ails him. What aileth thee, Hagar? --Gen. xxi. 17. Note: It is never used to express a specific disease. We do not say, a fever ails him; but, something ails him.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Ailette \Ai*lette\, n. [F. ailette, dim. of aile wing, L. ala.] A small square shield, formerly worn on the shoulders of knights, -- being the prototype of the modern epaulet. --Fairholt.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Alate \A*late"\, adv. [Pref. a- + late.] Lately; of late. [Archaic] There hath been alate such tales spread abroad. --Latimer.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Alate \A"late\, Alated \A"la*ted\, a. [L. alatus, from ala wing.] Winged; having wings, or side appendages like wings.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Alday \Al"day\, adv. Continually. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Alioth \Al"i*oth\, n. [Ar. aly[be]t the tail of a fat sheep.] (Astron.) A star in the tail of the Great Bear, the one next the bowl in the Dipper.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Alight \A*light"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Alighted}sometimes {Alit}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Alighting}.] [OE. alihten, fr. AS. [be]l[c6]htan; pref. [be]- (cf. Goth. us-, G. er-, orig. meaning out) + l[c6]htan, to alight, orig. to render light, to remove a burden from, fr. l[c6]ht, leoht, light. See {Light}, v. i.] 1. To spring down, get down, or descend, as from on horseback or from a carriage; to dismount. 2. To descend and settle, lodge, rest, or stop; as, a flying bird alights on a tree; snow alights on a roof. 3. To come or chance (upon). [R.]
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Note: In the ancient phrases, all too dear, all too much, all so long, etc., this word retains its appropriate sense or becomes intensive. 2. Even; just. (Often a mere intensive adjunct.) [Obs. or Poet.] All as his straying flock he fed. --Spenser. A damsel lay deploring All on a rock reclined. --Gay. {All to}, [or] {All-to}. In such phrases as [bd]all to rent,[b8] [bd]all to break,[b8] [bd]all-to frozen,[b8] etc., which are of frequent occurrence in our old authors, the all and the to have commonly been regarded as forming a compound adverb, equivalent in meaning to entirely, completely, altogether. But the sense of entireness lies wholly in the word all (as it does in [bd]all forlorn,[b8] and similar expressions), and the to properly belongs to the following word, being a kind of intensive prefix (orig. meaning asunder and answering to the LG. ter-, HG. zer-). It is frequently to be met with in old books, used without the all. Thus Wyclif says, [bd]The vail of the temple was to rent:[b8] and of Judas, [bd]He was hanged and to-burst the middle:[b8] i. e., burst in two, or asunder. {All along}. See under {Along}. {All and some}, individually and collectively, one and all. [Obs.] [bd]Displeased all and some.[b8] --Fairfax. {All but}. (a) Scarcely; not even. [Obs.] --Shak. (b) Almost; nearly. [bd]The fine arts were all but proscribed.[b8] --Macaulay. {All hollow}, entirely, completely; as, to beat any one all hollow. [Low] {All one}, the same thing in effect; that is, wholly the same thing. {All over}, over the whole extent; thoroughly; wholly; as, she is her mother all over. [Colloq.] {All the better}, wholly the better; that is, better by the whole difference. {All the same}, nevertheless. [bd]There they [certain phenomena] remain rooted all the same, whether we recognize them or not.[b8] --J. C. Shairp. [bd]But Rugby is a very nice place all the same.[b8] --T. Arnold. -- See also under {All}, n.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Allay \Al*lay"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Allayed}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Allaying}.] [OE. alaien, aleggen, to lay down, put down, humble, put an end to, AS. [be]lecgan; [be]- (cf. Goth. us-, G. er-, orig. meaning out) + lecgan to lay; but confused with old forms of allege, alloy, alegge. See {Lay}.] 1. To make quiet or put at rest; to pacify or appease; to quell; to calm; as, to allay popular excitement; to allay the tumult of the passions. 2. To alleviate; to abate; to mitigate; as, to allay the severity of affliction or the bitterness of adversity. It would allay the burning quality of that fell poison. --Shak. Syn: To alleviate; check; repress; assuage; appease; abate; subdue; destroy; compose; soothe; calm; quiet. See {Alleviate}.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Alleyed \Al"leyed\, a. Furnished with alleys; forming an alley. [bd]An alleyed walk.[b8] --Sir W. Scott.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Allied \Al*lied"\, a. United; joined; leagued; akin; related. See {Ally}.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Ally \Al*ly"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Allied}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Allying}.] [OE. alien, OF. alier, F. alier, fr. L. alligare to bind to; ad + ligare to bind. Cf. {Alligate}, {Alloy}, {Allay}, {Ligament}.] 1. To unite, or form a connection between, as between families by marriage, or between princes and states by treaty, league, or confederacy; -- often followed by to or with. O chief! in blood, and now in arms allied. --Pope. 2. To connect or form a relation between by similitude, resemblance, friendship, or love. These three did love each other dearly well, And with so firm affection were allied. --Spenser. The virtue nearest to our vice allied. --Pope. Note: Ally is generally used in the passive form or reflexively.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Allod \Al"lod\, n. See {Allodium}.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Allot \Allot"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Allotted}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Allotting}.] [OF. aloter, F. allotir; a (L. ad) + lot lot. See {Lot}.] 1. To distribute by lot. 2. To distribute, or parcel out in parts or portions; or to distribute to each individual concerned; to assign as a share or lot; to set apart as one's share; to bestow on; to grant; to appoint; as, let every man be contented with that which Providence allots him. Ten years I will allot* to the attainment of knowledge. --Johnson.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Allottee \Al*lot`tee"\, n. One to whom anything is allotted; one to whom an allotment is made.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Allow \Al*low"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Allowed}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Allowing}.] [OE. alouen, OF. alouer, aloer, aluer, F. allouer, fr. LL. allocare to admit as proved, to place, use; confused with OF. aloer, fr. L. allaudare to extol; ad + laudare to praise. See {Local}, and cf. {Allocate}, {Laud}.] 1. To praise; to approve of; hence, to sanction. [Obs. or Archaic] Ye allow the deeds of your fathers. --Luke xi. 48. We commend his pains, condemn his pride, allow his life, approve his learning. --Fuller. 2. To like; to be suited or pleased with. [Obs.] How allow you the model of these clothes? --Massinger. 3. To sanction; to invest; to intrust. [Obs.] Thou shalt be . . . allowed with absolute power. --Shak. 4. To grant, give, admit, accord, afford, or yield; to let one have; as, to allow a servant his liberty; to allow a free passage; to allow one day for rest. He was allowed about three hundred pounds a year. --Macaulay. 5. To own or acknowledge; to accept as true; to concede; to accede to an opinion; as, to allow a right; to allow a claim; to allow the truth of a proposition. I allow, with Mrs. Grundy and most moralists, that Miss Newcome's conduct . . . was highly reprehensible. --Thackeray. 6. To grant (something) as a deduction or an addition; esp. to abate or deduct; as, to allow a sum for leakage. 7. To grant license to; to permit; to consent to; as, to allow a son to be absent. Syn: To allot; assign; bestow; concede; admit; permit; suffer; tolerate. See {Permit}.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Alloy \Al*loy"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Alloyed}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Alloying}.] [F. aloyer, OF. alier, allier, later allayer, fr. L. aligare. See {Alloy}, n., {Ally}, v. t., and cf. {Allay}.] 1. To reduce the purity of by mixing with a less valuable substance; as, to alloy gold with silver or copper, or silver with copper. 2. To mix, as metals, so as to form a compound. 3. To abate, impair, or debase by mixture; to allay; as, to alloy pleasure with misfortunes.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Note: In the ancient phrases, all too dear, all too much, all so long, etc., this word retains its appropriate sense or becomes intensive. 2. Even; just. (Often a mere intensive adjunct.) [Obs. or Poet.] All as his straying flock he fed. --Spenser. A damsel lay deploring All on a rock reclined. --Gay. {All to}, [or] {All-to}. In such phrases as [bd]all to rent,[b8] [bd]all to break,[b8] [bd]all-to frozen,[b8] etc., which are of frequent occurrence in our old authors, the all and the to have commonly been regarded as forming a compound adverb, equivalent in meaning to entirely, completely, altogether. But the sense of entireness lies wholly in the word all (as it does in [bd]all forlorn,[b8] and similar expressions), and the to properly belongs to the following word, being a kind of intensive prefix (orig. meaning asunder and answering to the LG. ter-, HG. zer-). It is frequently to be met with in old books, used without the all. Thus Wyclif says, [bd]The vail of the temple was to rent:[b8] and of Judas, [bd]He was hanged and to-burst the middle:[b8] i. e., burst in two, or asunder. {All along}. See under {Along}. {All and some}, individually and collectively, one and all. [Obs.] [bd]Displeased all and some.[b8] --Fairfax. {All but}. (a) Scarcely; not even. [Obs.] --Shak. (b) Almost; nearly. [bd]The fine arts were all but proscribed.[b8] --Macaulay. {All hollow}, entirely, completely; as, to beat any one all hollow. [Low] {All one}, the same thing in effect; that is, wholly the same thing. {All over}, over the whole extent; thoroughly; wholly; as, she is her mother all over. [Colloq.] {All the better}, wholly the better; that is, better by the whole difference. {All the same}, nevertheless. [bd]There they [certain phenomena] remain rooted all the same, whether we recognize them or not.[b8] --J. C. Shairp. [bd]But Rugby is a very nice place all the same.[b8] --T. Arnold. -- See also under {All}, n.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Allude \Al*lude"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Alluded}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Alluding}.] [L. alludere to play with, to allude; ad + ludere to play.] To refer to something indirectly or by suggestion; to have reference to a subject not specifically and plainly mentioned; -- followed by to; as, the story alludes to a recent transaction. These speeches . . . do seem to allude unto such ministerial garments as were then in use. --Hooker. Syn: To refer; point; indicate; hint; suggest; intimate; signify; insinuate; advert. See {Refer}.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Allude \Al*lude"\, v. t. To compare allusively; to refer (something) as applicable. [Obs.] --Wither.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Aloud \A*loud"\, adv. [Pref. a- + loud.] With a loud voice, or great noise; loudly; audibly. Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice. --Isa. lviii. 1.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Alt \Alt\, a. & n. [See {Alto}.] (Mus.) The higher part of the scale. See {Alto}. {To be in alt}, to be in an exalted state of mind.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Altho \Al*tho"\, conj. Although. [Reformed spelling]
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Viola \Vi"o*la\, n. [It. See {Viol}.] (Mus.) An instrument in form and use resembling the violin, but larger, and a fifth lower in compass. {[d8]Viola da braccio} [It., viol for the arm], the tenor viol, or viola, a fifth lower than the violin. Its part is written in the alto clef, hence it is sometimes called the {alto}. {[d8]Viola da gamba} [It., viol for the leg], an instrument resembling the viola, but larger, and held between the knees. It is now rarely used. {[d8]Viola da spalla} [It., viol for the shoulder], an instrument formerly used, resembling the viola, and intermediate in size between the viola and the viola da gamba. {[d8]Viola di amore} [It., viol of love: cf. F. viole d'amour], a viol, larger than the viola, having catgut strings upon, and brass or steel wires under, the keyboard. These, sounding sympathetically with the strings, yield a peculiarly soft and silvery sound. It is now seldom used.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Alto \Al"to\, n.; pl. {Altos}. [It. alto high, fr. L. altus. Cf. {Alt}.] 1. (Mus.) Formerly the part sung by the highest male, or counter-tenor, voices; now the part sung by the lowest female, or contralto, voices, between in tenor and soprano. In instrumental music it now signifies the tenor. 2. An alto singer. {Alto clef} (Mus.) the counter-tenor clef, or the C clef, placed so that the two strokes include the middle line of the staff. --Moore.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Viola \Vi"o*la\, n. [It. See {Viol}.] (Mus.) An instrument in form and use resembling the violin, but larger, and a fifth lower in compass. {[d8]Viola da braccio} [It., viol for the arm], the tenor viol, or viola, a fifth lower than the violin. Its part is written in the alto clef, hence it is sometimes called the {alto}. {[d8]Viola da gamba} [It., viol for the leg], an instrument resembling the viola, but larger, and held between the knees. It is now rarely used. {[d8]Viola da spalla} [It., viol for the shoulder], an instrument formerly used, resembling the viola, and intermediate in size between the viola and the viola da gamba. {[d8]Viola di amore} [It., viol of love: cf. F. viole d'amour], a viol, larger than the viola, having catgut strings upon, and brass or steel wires under, the keyboard. These, sounding sympathetically with the strings, yield a peculiarly soft and silvery sound. It is now seldom used.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Alto \Al"to\, n.; pl. {Altos}. [It. alto high, fr. L. altus. Cf. {Alt}.] 1. (Mus.) Formerly the part sung by the highest male, or counter-tenor, voices; now the part sung by the lowest female, or contralto, voices, between in tenor and soprano. In instrumental music it now signifies the tenor. 2. An alto singer. {Alto clef} (Mus.) the counter-tenor clef, or the C clef, placed so that the two strokes include the middle line of the staff. --Moore.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Auld \Auld\, a. [See {Old}.] Old; as, Auld Reekie (old smoky), i. e., Edinburgh. [Scot. & Prov. Eng.]
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Chough \Chough\, n. [OE. choughe, kowe (and cf. OE. ca), fr. AS. ce[a2]; cf. also D. kauw, OHG. ch[be]ha; perh. akin to E. caw. [fb]22. Cf. {Caddow}.] (Zo[94]l.) A bird of the Crow family ({Fregilus graculus}) of Europe. It is of a black color, with a long, slender, curved bill and red legs; -- also called {chauk}, {chauk-daw}, {chocard}, {Cornish chough}, {red-legged crow}. The name is also applied to several allied birds, as the {Alpine chough}. {Cornish chough} (Her.), a bird represented black, with red feet, and beak; -- called also {aylet} and {sea swallow}.
From U.S. Gazetteer (1990) [gazetteer]:
Alda, NE (village, FIPS 625) Location: 40.86470 N, 98.46881 W Population (1990): 540 (206 housing units) Area: 0.8 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water) Zip code(s): 68810
From U.S. Gazetteer (1990) [gazetteer]:
Aldie, VA Zip code(s): 22001
From U.S. Gazetteer (1990) [gazetteer]:
Aledo, IL (city, FIPS 646) Location: 41.19829 N, 90.74744 W Population (1990): 3681 (1538 housing units) Area: 5.2 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water) Zip code(s): 61231 Aledo, TX (city, FIPS 1744) Location: 32.69605 N, 97.60384 W Population (1990): 1169 (430 housing units) Area: 4.6 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water) Zip code(s): 76008
From U.S. Gazetteer (1990) [gazetteer]:
Alta, CA Zip code(s): 95701 Alta, IA (city, FIPS 1495) Location: 42.67205 N, 95.30448 W Population (1990): 1820 (761 housing units) Area: 2.6 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water) Zip code(s): 51002 Alta, UT (town, FIPS 650) Location: 40.57912 N, 111.61914 W Population (1990): 397 (171 housing units) Area: 10.5 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water) Zip code(s): 84092
From U.S. Gazetteer (1990) [gazetteer]:
Altha, FL (town, FIPS 1000) Location: 30.57139 N, 85.12646 W Population (1990): 497 (214 housing units) Area: 3.5 sq km (land), 0.1 sq km (water) Zip code(s): 32421
From U.S. Gazetteer (1990) [gazetteer]:
Alto, GA (town, FIPS 1948) Location: 34.46744 N, 83.57448 W Population (1990): 651 (245 housing units) Area: 2.1 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water) Zip code(s): 30510 Alto, LA Zip code(s): 71269 Alto, MI Zip code(s): 49302 Alto, TX (town, FIPS 2188) Location: 31.65044 N, 95.07086 W Population (1990): 1027 (486 housing units) Area: 4.2 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water)
From U.S. Gazetteer (1990) [gazetteer]:
Ault, CO (town, FIPS 3950) Location: 40.58402 N, 104.73313 W Population (1990): 1107 (476 housing units) Area: 1.7 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water) Zip code(s): 80610
From U.S. Gazetteer (1990) [gazetteer]:
Aylett, VA Zip code(s): 23009
From Jargon File (4.2.0, 31 JAN 2000) [jargon]:
alt /awlt/ 1. n. The alt shift key on an IBM PC or {clone} keyboard; see {bucky bits}, sense 2 (though typical PC usage does not simply set the 0200 bit). 2. n. The `option' key on a Macintosh; use of this term usually reveals that the speaker hacked PCs before coming to the Mac (see also {feature key}, which is sometimes _incorrectly_ called `alt'). 3. n.,obs. [PDP-10; often capitalized to ALT] Alternate name for the ASCII ESC character (ASCII 0011011), after the keycap labeling on some older terminals; also `altmode' (/awlt'mohd/). This character was almost never pronounced `escape' on an ITS system, in {TECO}, or under TOPS-10 -- always alt, as in "Type alt alt to end a TECO command" or "alt-U onto the system" (for "log onto the [ITS] system"). This usage probably arose because alt is more convenient to say than `escape', especially when followed by another alt or a character (or another alt _and_ a character, for that matter). 4. The alt hierarchy on Usenet, the tree of newsgroups created by users without a formal vote and approval procedure. There is a myth, not entirely implausible, that alt is acronymic for "anarchists, lunatics, and terrorists"; but in fact it is simply short for "alternative".
From The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (15Feb98) [foldoc]:
alt /awlt/ 1. The alt {modifier key} on many {keyboards}, including the {IBM PC}. On some keyboards and {operating systems}, (but not the IBM PC) the alt key sets bit 7 of the character generated. See {bucky bits}. 2. The "{clover}" or "Command" key on a {Macintosh}; use of this term usually reveals that the speaker hacked PCs before coming to the Mac (see also {feature key}). Some Mac hackers, confusingly, reserve "alt" for the Option key (and it is so labelled on some Mac II keyboards). 3. (Obsolete {PDP-10}; often "ALT") An alternate name for the {ASCII} ESC character (Escape, ASCII 27), after the keycap labelling on some older {terminals}; also "altmode" (/awlt'mohd/). This character was almost never pronounced "escape" on an {ITS} system, in {TECO} or under {TOPS-10}, always alt, as in "Type alt alt to end a TECO command" or "alt-U onto the system" (for "log onto the [ITS] system"). This usage probably arose because alt is easier to say. 4. One of the {Usenet} {newsgroup} {hierarchies}. It was founded by {John Gilmore} and {Brian Reid}. The alt hierarchy is special in that anyone can create new groups here without going though the normal voting proceduers, hence the regular appearence of new groups with names such as "alt.swedish.chef.bork.bork.bork". [{Jargon File}] (1997-04-12)
From Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary (late 1800's) [hitchcock]:
Ahilud, a brother born, or begotten