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alpha Definition

al·pha (al′fə)

noun

  1. the first letter of the Greek alphabet (Α, α)
  2. the beginning of anything
  3. Astron. the name assigned to the brightest star in each constellation: followed by the constellation's name in the genitive case, as Alpha Centauri

Etymology: Gr < NW Sem: cf. Heb alef, aleph

adjective

  1. designating or of the socially dominant member of a group, esp. of a group of animals the alpha male
  2. Chem. designating the first of two or more positions in which the substituting atom or radical appears relative to some particular carbon atom in an organic compound: usually written α-: the other positions, in order, are beta (β-), gamma (γ-), delta (δ-), etc.

alpha Finance Definition
A measure of the risk-adjusted performance of an investment that factors in the individual risk of the security and not the overall market risk. A large alpha indicates that the stock or mutual fund has performed better than would be predicted given its beta, which is a measurement of an investment’s volatility.
alpha Telecom Definition
Referring to a product, usually a software product, that is ready for initial testing, in-house and possibly under laboratory conditions. An alpha product generally is unstable and does not include all planned features or functionality. See also beta and software.
alpha Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • generate: Investment opportunity We model various combinations of funds to determine the best blend that will generate consistent alpha in the MultiManager Portfolios.
  • contain: Cookies A Cookie is a small file which contains a unique alpha numeric number selected on a random basis.
  • call: Depending on the direction of the -OH group at carbon 1, it may be called an alpha or a beta linkage.
  • set: This then leaves the question, how to set the constant alpha?

Adjective modifier

  • pegylated: At present, the only treatment available is a combination therapy with pegylated interferon alpha and ribavirin.
  • Greek: This plots the Greek letter alpha at the location 1880 1900.
  • upper: A upper alpha A, B, C, ... i lower roman i, ii, iii, .. .
  • low: Characters also specified as upper, lower, alpha, digit, graph, or xdigit are not allowed.

Modifies a noun

  • helix: These two bonds act to stop the alpha helix forming.
  • tocopherol: Vitamin E Vitamin E is a general term for compounds with the biological activity of alpha tocopherol.
  • blocker: Eg captopril, losartan - Calcium channel blockers or alpha blockers, which help widen your blood vessels.
  • beta: CELL a b c [ alpha beta gamma ] Specify the unit cell.
  • gamma: CELL a b c [ alpha beta gamma ] Specify the unit cell.
  • interferon: The current medical treatment is a drug called alpha interferon.

Noun used with modifier

  • interferon: Very rarely, seizures have occurred with high doses of interferon alpha.
  • necrosis: Tumor necrosis factor alpha also plays a pivotal part in inflammation.
  • tumor: Tumor necrosis factor alpha also plays a pivotal part in inflammation.
  • tumor: Infliximab ties up a special protein in the body called tumor necrosis factor alpha or TNF a, which is involved in inflammation.
  • receptor: An important biological marker for monitoring residual disease is the promyelocytic retinoic acid receptor alpha ( PML-RARalpha ) fusion transcript.
  • coefficient: Therefore, coefficient alpha will be equal to zero.
alpha Quotes

I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia.

—Bible (NewTestament)