Alpha Definition
ălfə
noun
The first letter of the Greek alphabet.
American Heritage
The first letter of the Greek alphabet (Α, α)
Webster's New World
The first of a series; the beginning.
American Heritage
The beginning of anything.
Webster's New World
The brightest star in a constellation.
American Heritage
Synonyms:
adjective
Being the highest ranked or most dominant individual of one's sex. Used of social animals.
The alpha female of the wolf pack.
American Heritage
Designating or of the socially dominant member of a group, esp. of a group of animals.
The alpha male.
Webster's New World
Being in the first position relative to a designated carbon atom in an organic molecule at which an atom or a group may be substituted.
American Heritage
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.
Webster's New World
Referring to the first of a group of isomers, or molecules of similar origin or properties, determined arbitrarily by those who discover or classify them. Used in combination.
Alpha-tocopherol.
American Heritage
symbol
The letter A in the ICAO spelling alphabet.
Wiktionary
Other Word Forms of Alpha
Noun
Singular:
alpha
Plural:
alphasOrigin of Alpha
-
From the Ancient Greek ἄλφα (alpha), the first letter of the Greek alphabet, from the Phoenician aleph.
From Wiktionary
-
Greek of Phoenician origin ℵlp in Semitic roots
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
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