alpha

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

previous     letter		following     letter   beta
Α α   –   Greek: άλφα
Wikipedia article on alpha

Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Pronunciation 1.3 Noun 1.3.1 Derived terms 1.3.2 See also 1.3.3 Translations 1.4 Adjective 1.4.1 Derived terms 1.5 Related terms 2 French 2.1 Pronunciation 3 Interlingua 4 Latin

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

From Greek alpha (άλφα), the first letter of the Greek alphabet, from the Phoenician aleph.

[edit] Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈæɫfə/
•  Audio (US)^{help, file}

[edit] Noun

alpha (countable and uncountable; plural alphas)

1. 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.
2. (sciences) The name of the symbols Α and α used in science and mathematics, often interchangeable with the symbols when used as a prefix.

   I will attempt to make a alpha particle ("α-particle") with the large hadron collider.

3. (finance) The return of a given asset or portfolio adjusted for systematic risk.

[edit] Derived terms

[edit] See also

• Alpha (investment) on Wikipedia.Wikipedia:Alpha (investment)

[edit] Translations

[edit] Adjective

alpha (not comparable)

1. Designates the first in an order of precedence.

   I am the alpha male.

2. (astronomy) Designates the brightest star in a constellation.

   When space travel becomes feasible, I plan to visit Alpha Centauri.

[edit] Derived terms

alpha blogger Alpha Centauri, α-Centauri alpha female

alpha geek

[edit] Related terms

• alphabet
• alphabet soup
• alphabetical
• alphabetical order
• alphanumeric

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[edit] French

[edit] Pronunciation

•  audio^{help, file}
• IPA: /al.fa/, SAMPA: /al.fa/

alpha

• Alpha.

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[edit] Interlingua

alpha

1. Alpha.

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[edit] Latin

alpha

1. Alpha.