alpha

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See also alfa
 previous
    letter

   
 following
    letter

  beta  
Α α   –   Greek: άλφα
Wikipedia article on alpha


Contents

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

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

[edit] Pronunciation

[edit] Noun

Singular
alpha

Plural
countable and uncountable; alphas

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.
    alpha particle ("α-particle")
  3. The highest scientific caste of people in the novel Brave New World by Aldous Huxley.
  4. In finance, the amount by which a given asset or portfolio's return exceeds a "riskless" rate of return.

[edit] Adjective

alpha

  1. Designates the first in an order of precedence.
    alpha male
  2. (astronomy) Designates the brightest star in a constellation.
    Alpha Centauri

[edit] Derived terms

[edit] Translations


[edit] French

[edit] Pronunciation

alpha

  • Alpha.

[edit] Interlingua

alpha

  1. Alpha.

[edit] Latin

alpha

  1. Alpha.
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