alpha

al·pha  (lf)

n.

1. The first letter of the Greek alphabet. See Table at alphabet.

2. The first one; the beginning.

3. Chemistry The first position from a designated carbon atom in an organic molecule at which an atom or radical may be substituted.

4. Astronomy The brightest or main star in a constellation.

5. The mathematical estimate of the return on a security when the return on the market as a whole is zero. Alpha is derived from a in the formula R_i = a + bR_m, which measures the return on a security (R_i) for a given return on the market (R_m) where b is beta.

adj.

1. Being the highest ranked or most dominant individual of one's sex. Used of social animals: the alpha female of the wolf pack.

2. Chemistry Closest to the functional group of atoms in an organic molecule.

3. Alphabetical.

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[Greek, of Phoenician origin; see lp in Semitic roots.]

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alpha [ˈælfə]

n

1. (Linguistics / Letters of the Alphabet (Foreign)) the first letter in the Greek alphabet (Α, α), a vowel transliterated as a

2. (Social Science / Education) Brit the highest grade or mark, as in an examination

3. (Physics / General Physics) (modifier)

a.  involving or relating to helium-4 nuclei an alpha particle

b.  relating to one of two or more allotropes or crystal structures of a solid alpha iron

c.  relating to one of two or more isomeric forms of a chemical compound, esp one in which a group is attached to the carbon atom to which the principal group is attached

4. (modifier) denoting the dominant person or animal in a group the alpha male

[via Latin from Greek, of Phoenician origin; related to Hebrew āleph, literally: ox]

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Alpha [ˈælfə]

n

1. (Astronomy) (foll by the genitive case of a specified constellation) usually the brightest star in a constellation Alpha Centauri

2. (Electronics & Computer Science / Communications & Information) Communications a code word for the letter a

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	alpha - the 1st letter of the Greek alphabet Greek alphabet - the alphabet used by ancient Greeks alphabetic character, letter of the alphabet, letter - the conventional characters of the alphabet used to represent speech; "his grandmother taught him his letters"
	2.	alpha - the beginning of a series or sequence; "the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end"--Revelations start - the beginning of anything; "it was off to a good start"
Adj.	1.	alpha - 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" important, of import - of great significance or value; "important people"; "the important questions of the day"
	2.	alpha - early testing stage of a software or hardware product; "alpha version" explorative, exploratory - serving in or intended for exploration or discovery; "an exploratory operation"; "exploratory reconnaissance"; "digging an exploratory well in the Gulf of Mexico"; "exploratory talks between diplomats"

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alpha

noun

the alpha and omega first and last, be-all and end-all He was the alpha and omega of the comedy series.

Translations

alpha [ˈælfə]

A. N (= letter) → alfa f (Brit) (Scol, Univ) → sobresaliente m

B. CPD alpha particle N (Phys) → partícula f alfa
alpha rhythm, alpha wave N (Physiol) → ritmo m alfa

alpha

n

(= letter) → Alpha nt

(Brit Sch, Univ) → Eins f; alpha plus → Eins (→ plus (hum)); (Sch also) → Eins (→ mit Stern (hum))

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alpha:

alpha particle

n → Alphateilchen nt

alpha ray

n → Alphastrahl m

alpha rhythm, alpha wave

n (Physiol) → Alpharhythmus m

alpha [ˈælfə]

1. n → alfa m or f inv

2. adj (Phys) alpha particle → particella f alfa inv