the first letter in the Greek alphabet (Α, α), a vowel transliterated as a
2. British
the highest grade or mark, as in an examination
3. (modifier)
a.
involving or relating to helium-4 nuclei
an alpha particle
b.
relating to one of two or more allotropes or crystal structures of a solid
alpha iron
c.
relating to one of two or more isomeric forms of a chemical compound, esp one in whicha group is attached to the carbon atom to which the principal group is attached
4. (modifier)
denoting the dominant person or animal in a group
the alpha male
Word origin
via Latin from Greek, of Phoenician origin; related to Hebrew āleph, literally: ox
Alpha in British English
(ˈælfə)
noun
1. (foll by the genitive case of a specified constellation)
usually the brightest star in a constellation
Alpha Centauri
2. communications
a code word for the letter a
alpha in American English
(ˈælfə)
noun
1.
the first letter of the Greek alphabet (Α, α)
2.
the beginning of anything
3. [A-]; Astronomy
the name assigned to the brightest star in each constellation
, followed by the constellation's name in the genitive case, as Alpha Centauri
adjective
4.
designating or of the socially dominant member of a group, esp. of a group of animals
the alpha male
5. Chemistry
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.
beta
Word origin
Gr < NW Sem: cf. Heb alef, aleph
Examples of 'alpha' in a sentence
alpha
He has become England's alpha male.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Being alpha male, dominant, macho is deep in their mindset.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Such individuals are alpha males, competitive by nature, who want to show off their prowess to any possible rival.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
I've always been the alpha male, if you like.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It is not a shortcut to becoming an alpha male.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The alpha and omega of the weather manifesto is better weather.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Yet this seems to be beyond the imagination of the alpha female.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The alpha and omega of soldiering and training is discipline and drill.
Simon Ball THE GUARDSMEN (2004)
The harder part was working out how three alpha females could coexist in a band.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Does that make me an alpha female?
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
This uses a small electrical current to produce alpha waves which stop my brain getting more pain signals than it should.
The Sun (2012)
So two alpha females became four.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
These floating cities are without doubt the alpha and omega of cruising for many passengers who prefer their ships loud and proud.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
So he'd like to be with an alpha woman?
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
But her manner is unlike that of her combative, bombastic alpha male peers.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
This is the alpha and omega of new Labour.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
They herded sheep, the alpha and omega of their cuisine.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
I guess the treacherous mutt knows a true alpha female when he sees one.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
On a monitor, one can see it throbbing with alpha waves up to eight seconds before an insight dawns.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
In specific parts of the right brain, it is alpha waves that fire up when jazz pianists are improvising.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
And then there is this: we live in an age when images are the alpha and omega of our existence.
Christianity Today (2000)
And what of alpha woman?
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
You are an alpha male.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
He's definitely my alpha male.
The Sun (2007)
She says: 'I became a macho alpha male.
The Sun (2015)
That's because it is known to increase alpha brain waves and reduce beta ones, a process that makes us less mentally alert.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Synonyms of 'alpha'
Word lists with
alpha
Greek, code words
All related terms of 'alpha'
alpha ray
ionizing radiation consisting of a stream of alpha particles
alpha brass
a type of brass that contains less than 35 per cent zinc
alpha cells
cells in the anterior pituitary that contain acidophil granules
Alpha Cygni
→ Deneb
alpha decay
the radioactive decay process resulting in emission of alpha particles
alpha geek
the person in a group or office who has the most knowledge about computer technology
alpha helix
a helical conformation of a polypeptide chain , found abundantly in the structure of proteins
alpha iron
a magnetic allotrope of iron that is stable below 910° C ; ferrite
Alpha Lyrae
→ Vega 1
alpha male
the dominant male animal or person in a group
alpha mummy
a woman who excels in the art of motherhood
alpha stock
any of the most active securities on the Stock Exchange of which there are between 100 and 200; at least ten market makers must continuously display the prices of an alpha stock and all transactions in them must be published immediately
Alpha Tauri
→ Aldebaran
alpha-test
an in-house test of a new or modified piece of computer software
alpha wave
any of the electrical waves from the parietal and occipital regions of the brain , having frequencies from 8 to 13 hertz : a sign of relaxation , since they indicate a lack of sensory stimulation in a conscious person
Alpha Aquilae
→ Altair
Alpha Aurigae
→ Capella
alpha-blocker
any of a class of drugs that prevent the stimulation of alpha adrenoceptors, a type of receptor in the sympathetic nervous system, by adrenaline and noradrenaline and that therefore cause widening of blood vessels : used in the treatment of high blood pressure and prostatic hyperplasia
Alpha Boötis
→ Arcturus
Alpha Carinae
→ Canopus 1
alpha emitter
a radioactive isotope that emits alpha particles
Alpha Eridani
→ Achernar
Alpha Leonis
→ Regulus 1
Alpha Orionis
→ Betelgeuse
alpha rhythm
the normal bursts of electrical activity from the cerebral cortex of a drowsy or inactive person, occurring at a frequency of 8 to 12 hertz and detectable with an electroencephalograph
Alpha Scorpii
→ Antares
alpha-carotene
a common form of carotene found in certain vegetables and fruit
alpha-cellulose
a refined , insoluble form of cellulose derived from cotton or wood pulp , and used in manufacturing
Alpha Centauri
a binary star , the brightest star in the constellation Centaurus : magnitude , -0.27: it is the nearest of the stars that are visible to the naked eye, except for the sun
Alpha Geminorum
→ Castor
alpha particle
a helium-4 nucleus , containing two neutrons and two protons , emitted during some radioactive transformations
alpha privative
(in Greek grammar ) the letter alpha (or an- before vowels ) used as a negative or privative prefix . It appears in English words derived from Greek, as in atheist , anaesthetic
alpha radiation
alpha particles emitted from a radioactive isotope
alpha receptor
a receptor , found on the surface of some cells of the sympathetic nervous system, that is stimulated by adrenergic substances resulting in constriction of blood vessels and contraction of most smooth muscle
Alpha Virginis
→ spica
alpha-adrenergic
of or having to do with an alpha receptor
alpha-fetoprotein
a protein that forms in the liver of the human fetus . Excessive quantities in the amniotic fluid and maternal blood may indicate spina bifida in the fetus; low levels may point to Down's syndrome
alpha-tocopherol
vitamin E
alpha and omega
the first and last , a phrase used in Revelation 1:8 to signify God's eternity
alpha-beta brass
a type of brass that contains 35–45 per cent zinc
alpha-hydroxy acid
a type of organic acid, commonly used in skin-care preparations , that has a hydroxyl group attached to the carbon atom next to the carbon atom carrying the carboxyl group
Alpha Canis Majoris
→ Sirius
Alpha Canis Minoris
→ Procyon
Alpha Centauri system
a star system comprising the binary star Alpha Centauri A and B and Proxima Centauri ( also called Alpha Centauri C ), which is 0.1 light years closer to the sun . Visual magnitude : 0.01 (A), 1.33 (B); spectral type: G 2 V (A); distance from earth: 4.3 light years
alpha-linolenic acid
a colourless unsaturated essential fatty acid found in drying oils, such as linseed oil, and used in making paints and synthetic resins ; 9,12,15-octadecatrienoic acid. Formula: C 18 H 30 O 2
Alpha Piscis Austrini
→ Fomalhaut
Alpha Ursae Minoris
→ Polaris
naphthyl group
the univalent group C 10 H 7 –, having a replaceable hydrogen atom in the first , or alpha , position; 1-naphthyl group
Rutherford scattering
the scattering of an alpha particle through a large angle with respect to the original direction of motion of the particle, caused by an atom ( Rutherford atom ) with most of the mass and all of the positive electric charge concentrated at a center or nucleus