alpha
English meaning: Alpha
Definition
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.
Example
“In the herd, the alpha leads the others to water.”
Another example: “The software is still in its alpha version and may contain bugs.”
Usage — When, Where & How
Neutral to technical; the first letter of the Greek alphabet (α), and by extension the beginning, the dominant individual (alpha male), or a first version (alpha release). Used in science, finance (investment alpha), and tech. Plural 'alphas'.
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From Greek 'alpha', the name of the first letter, borrowed from Phoenician 'aleph' (ox); used in English since the 14th century.
Related Words
- centauri
- helices
- epsilon
- omicron
- sorority
- phi
- iota
- theta
- omega
- rho
Common Collocations
- alpha male
- alpha version
- alpha and omega
- alpha particle
- alpha test
- alpha release
Word Forms
alpha (n); alphas (pl.); alphabetical (adj, related)
Word Tools
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
CC-licensed · free to useVideo
Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
- 1.5B