Origin of alpha
< Latin < Greek
álpha < Semitic; cf.
aleph
Words nearby alpha
Example sentences from the Web for alpha
British Dictionary definitions for alpha (1 of 2)
alpha
/ (ˈælfə) /
noun
the first letter in the Greek alphabet (Α, α), a vowel transliterated as a
British
the highest grade or mark, as in an examination
(modifier)
- involving or relating to helium-4 nucleian alpha particle
- relating to one of two or more allotropes or crystal structures of a solidalpha iron
- 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
(modifier)
denoting the dominant person or animal in a group
the alpha male
Word Origin for alpha
via Latin from Greek, of Phoenician origin; related to Hebrew
āleph, literally: ox
British Dictionary definitions for alpha (2 of 2)
Alpha
/ (ˈælfə) /
noun
(foll by the genitive case of a specified constellation)
usually the brightest star in a constellation
Alpha Centauri
communications
a code word for the letter a
Medical definitions for alpha
alpha
[ ăl′fə ]
n.
The first letter of the Greek alphabet.
The first one in a series; the beginning.
The first position from a designated carbon atom in an organic molecule at which an atom or radical group may be substituted.
adj.
Characterizing the atom or radical group that is closest to the functional group of atoms in an organic molecule.
Relating to one of two or more closely related substances, as in stereoisomers.
Relating to or characterizing a polypeptide chain that is one of five types of heavy chains present in immunoglobins.