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alpha
(redirected from alpha-sheet)

   Also found in: Medical, Financial, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia, Hutchinson 0.01 sec.
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 Ri = a + bRm, which measures the return on a security (Ri) for a given return on the market (Rm) 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.

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

alpha
Noun
1. the first letter in the Greek alphabet (Α, α)
2. Brit the highest grade in an examination or for a piece of academic work
3. alpha and omega the first and last
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Noun1.alphaalpha - 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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