alpha

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See also Alpha, and alfa

Contents

English [edit]

Ancient Greek Alphabet
— Greek uc alpha.svgGreek lc alpha.png →
beta
Α α
Ancient Greek: ἄλφα
Wikipedia article on alpha


Etymology [edit]

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

Pronunciation [edit]

  • IPA: /ˈæɫfə/
  • Audio (US)
    		(file)

Noun [edit]

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. Latin alpha
  3. (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 an alpha particle ("α-particle") with the large hadron collider.
  4. (finance) The return of a given asset or portfolio adjusted for systematic risk.
  5. An alpha male.
  6. (informal, abbreviation) Alphabet.

Derived terms [edit]

terms derived from alpha (noun)

See also [edit]

Translations [edit]

name of the letter Α, α
name of the letter Ɑ, ɑ — see Latin alpha

Adjective [edit]

alpha (not comparable)

  1. Designates the first in an order of precedence.
    I am the alpha male.
  2. (person, object or action) associated with the alpha male/female archetype.
  3. (astronomy) Designates the brightest star in a constellation.
    When space travel becomes feasible, I plan to visit Alpha Centauri.

Derived terms [edit]

Related terms [edit]

French [edit]

Pronunciation [edit]

Noun [edit]

alpha m (invariable)

  1. alpha (Greek letter)

Interlingua [edit]

Noun [edit]

alpha

  1. alpha

Latin [edit]

Noun [edit]

alpha

  1. alpha
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