Why "alternate"and not "alternative" CD?

[Jonesy]

On Thu, 09 Feb 2012 18:26:55 -0500, AV3 wrote:
> On Feb/9/2012 12:1405 PM, Ioannis Vranos wrote:
>> With English not being my native language, I think the proper term for
>> "alternate CD" is "alternative CD". Why "alternate" is used instead?
>
> There is little nuance of difference between the two expressions in this 
> case. 'Alternative' is an adjective and you understand its meaning 
> correctly, Here 'alternate' is a noun; the use parallels that in the 
> expression combining two nouns: He is the alternate delegate to the 
> convention. In this case the use of either word is permitted and has the 
> same meaning. Combined nouns are commonly used in English (and German) 
> and the second in a pair determines the meaning: a 'pocket watch' is a 
> kind of watch (suitable to fit in a pocket) and a 'watch pocket' is a 
> kind of pocket (suitable to hold a watch).

Nicely done!