ALPHA
alpha
(adjective) early testing stage of a software or hardware product; “alpha version”
alpha
(adjective) first in order of importance; “the alpha male in the group of chimpanzees”; “the alpha star in a constellation is the brightest or main star”
alpha
(noun) the 1st letter of the Greek alphabet
alpha
(noun) the beginning of a series or sequence; “the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end”--Revelations
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
Noun
alpha (countable and uncountable, plural alphas)
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.
Latin alpha
(science) The name of the symbols Α and α used in science and mathematics, often interchangeable with the symbols when used as a prefix.
(finance) The return of a given asset or portfolio adjusted for systematic risk.
A person, especially a male, who is dominant, successful and attractive; (see alpha male).
(informal, abbreviation) Alphabet.
(software engineering) The first versions of a program, usually only available to the developer, and only tested by the developer.
(computer graphics) The level of translucency of a color, as determined by the alpha channel.
(statistics) The significance level of a statistical test; the alpha level.
(fandom) In omegaverse fiction, a person of a sexually-dominant (and sometimes secondary) gender/sex that is driven by biology, magic, or other means to bond with an omega, with males of this type often having canine-like genitalia.
Adjective
alpha (not comparable)
Designates the first in an order of precedence.
(of person, object or action) exhibiting characteristics of the alpha male/female archetype.
(star) Designates some bright star, usually the brightest star, of a constellation.
Anagrams
• alaph, phaal
Proper noun
Alpha
A placename.
A ghost town in California, United States (USA).
A village in Illinois, United States.
A village in Michigan, United States.
A city and village in Minnesota, United States
A borough in New Jersey, United States.
A town in Queensland, Australia.
Former name of the International Space Station.
Anagrams
• alaph, phaal
Source: Wiktionary
Al"pha, n. Etym: [L. alpha, Gr. 'a`lfa, from Heb. aleph, name of the
first letter in the alphabet, also meaning ox.]
Definition: The first letter in the Greek alphabet, answering to A, and
hence used to denote the beginning.
In am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the
last. Rev. xxii. 13.
Note: Formerly used also denote the chief; as, Plato was the alpha of
the wits.
Note: In cataloguing stars, the brightest star of a constellation in
designated by Alpha (a); as, a Lyræ.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition