Betamax

Variant of beta

beta definition

beta (bātə; chiefly Brit bētə)

noun

  1. the second letter of the Greek alphabet (Β, β)
  2. the second of a group or series
  3. Astron. the name assigned to the second brightest star in each constellation: followed by the constellation's name in the genitive case, as Beta Geminorum
  4. Comput. a version of software distributed to selected users for testing before sale
  5. Finance a measure of the impact of a change in the stock market on the probable price change of a stock or stocks

Etymology: L < Gr bēta < Heb bet, lit., house; prob. of Phoen orig.

adjective

Chem. designating an organic structural position

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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