ALPHA


Meaning of ALPHA in English

/al"feuh/ , n.

1. the first letter of the Greek alphabet (A).

2. the vowel sound represented by this letter.

3. the first; beginning.

4. ( cap. ) Astron. used to designate the brightest star in a constellation.

5. Chem. one of two or more isomeric compounds.

6. the first in a series of related items: frequently used in chemistry and physics.

7. Chiefly Brit. a mark or grade corresponding to an A. Cf. beta (def. 8), gamma (def. 9).

adj.

8. -

a. (esp. of animals) having the highest rank of its sex in a dominance hierarchy: the alpha female.

b. being the most prominent, talented, or aggressive person in a group: the alpha male of investment bankers.

9. Chem. pertaining or linked to the carbon atom closest to a particular group in an organic molecule.

[ álpha ]

Random House Webster's Unabridged English dictionary.      Полный английский словарь Вебстер - Random House .