Alpha
WordNet
adjective
(1) Early testing stage of a software or hardware product
"Alpha version"
(2) First in order of importance
"The alpha male in the group of chimpanzees"
"The alpha star in a constellation is the brightest or main star"
noun
(3) The 1st letter of the Greek alphabet
(4) The beginning of a series or sequence
"The Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end"--Revelations
WiktionaryText
Etymology
From Greek alpha (άλφα), the first letter of the Greek alphabet, from the Phoenician aleph.
Noun
- The name of the first letter of the Greek alphabet (Α, α), followed by beta. In the Latin alphabet it is the predecessor to A.
- Latin alpha
- The name of the symbols Α and α used in science and mathematics, often interchangeable with the symbols when used as a prefix.
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- I will attempt to make a alpha particle ("α-particle") with the large hadron collider.
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- The return of a given asset or portfolio adjusted for systematic risk.
Adjective
- Designates the first in an order of precedence.
- I am the alpha male.
- Designates the brightest star in a constellation.
- When space travel becomes feasible, I plan to visit Alpha Centauri.
Related terms
- alphabet
- alphabet soup
- alphabetical
- alphabetical order
- alphanumeric