alpha

== English == === Etymology === From the Ancient Greek ἄλφα (álpha), the first letter of the Greek alphabet, from the Phoenician 𐤀 (ʾ, “aleph”). Doublet of alif and aleph. === Pronunciation === (Received Pronunciation, General American) IPA(key): /ˈæl.fə/, [ˈæɫ.fə] (India) IPA(key): /ˈæːl.fɑː/, /ˈɑːl.fɑː/, /ˈəl.fɑː/ Rhymes: -ælfə === 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: the Latin letter Ɑ (minuscule: ɑ). (sciences) 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. Coordinate term: beta A person, especially a male, who is dominant, successful and attractive; (see alpha male). (informal) Clipping of alphabet. (Can we add an example for this sense?) (software engineering) The first versions of a program, usually only available to the developer, and only tested by the developer. (aviation) An angle of attack. Coordinate terms: beta, gamma, theta (computer graphics) The level of translucency of a color, as determined by the alpha channel. (computer graphics) Ellipsis of alpha layer. (statistics) The significance level of a statistical test; the alpha level. (fandom slang) In omegaverse fiction, a person of a dominant secondary sex driven by biology, magic, or other means to bond with an omega, with males of this type often having canine-like genitalia. 2017, Marianne Gunderson, "What is an omega? Rewriting sex and gender in omegaverse fanfiction", thesis submitted to the University of Oslo, page 11: Sherlock realizes that John, despite being an alpha, sees and loves Sherlock for who he is, "a brilliant, mad, nutter of a man," instead of only wanting him for his reproductive functions, his ability to become pregnant. Alternative letter-case form of Alpha (“member of Generation Alpha”). ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Related terms ==== alphabet ==== Translations ==== ==== See also ==== (Greek-script letter names) alpha, beta, gamma, delta, epsilon, zeta, eta, theta, iota, kappa, lambda, mu, nu, xi, omicron, pi, rho, sigma, tau, upsilon, phi, chi, psi, omega ==== Further reading ==== Alpha (investment) on Wikipedia.Wikipedia === 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. (astronomy) Designates some bright star, usually the brightest star, of a constellation. Clipping of alphabetical. ==== Derived terms ==== === Anagrams === alaph, phaal == French == === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /al.fa/ Homophone: alfa === Noun === alpha m (invariable) alpha (Greek letter) === Further reading === “alpha”, in Trésor de la langue française informatisé [Digitized Treasury of the French Language], 2012 == Interlingua == === Noun === alpha alpha == Latin == === Etymology === From Ancient Greek ἄλφα (álpha). === Pronunciation === (Classical Latin) IPA(key): [ˈaɫ.pʰa] (modern Italianate Ecclesiastical) IPA(key): [ˈal.fa] === Noun === alpha n (indeclinable) alpha === References === “alpha”, in Charlton T. Lewis and Charles Short (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press “alpha”, in Charlton T. Lewis (1891), An Elementary Latin Dictionary, New York: Harper & Brothers "alpha", in Charles du Fresne du Cange, Glossarium Mediæ et Infimæ Latinitatis (augmented edition with additions by D. P. Carpenterius, Adelungius and others, edited by Léopold Favre, 1883–1887) “alpha”, in Gaffiot, Félix (1934), Dictionnaire illustré latin-français, Hachette. == Portuguese == === Noun === alpha m (plural alphas) pre-reform spelling (used until 1943 in Brazil and 1911 in Portugal) of alfa == Vietnamese == === Etymology === (This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.) === Pronunciation === (Hà Nội) IPA(key): [ʔaːn˧˧ faː˧˧] (Huế) IPA(key): [ʔaːŋ˧˧ faː˧˧] (Saigon) IPA(key): [ʔaːŋ˧˧ faː˧˧] Phonetic spelling: an pha === Noun === alpha alpha