the third letter in the Greek alphabet (Γ, γ), a consonant, transliterated as g. When double, it is transcribed and pronounced as ng
2.
the third highest grade or mark, as in an examination
3.
a unit of magnetic field strength equal to 10–5 oersted. 1 gamma is equivalent to 0.795 775 × 10–3 ampere per metre
4. photography, television
the numerical value of the slope of the characteristic curve of a photographic emulsion or television camera; a measure of the contrast reproduced in a photographic or television image
5. (modifier)
a.
involving or relating to photons of very high energy
a gamma detector
b.
relating to one of two or more allotropes or crystal structures of a solid
gamma iron
c.
relating to one of two or more isomeric forms of a chemical compound, esp one in which a group is attached to the carbon atom next but one to the atom to which the principal group is attached
Word origin
C14: from Greek; related to Hebrew gīmel third letter of the Hebrew alphabet (probably: camel)
Gamma in British English
(ˈɡæmə)
noun
(foll by the genitive case of a specified constellation)
the third brightest star in a constellation
Gamma Leonis
gamma in American English
(ˈgæmə)
noun
1.
the third letter of the Greek alphabet (Γ, γ)
2.
the third of a group or series
3.
a microgram
4.
a number indicating the degree of contrast between the darkest and lightest parts of a photographic image
5.
a unit of magnetic field intensity equal to 10-5
adjective see alpha
Word origin
ME < Gr < Sem, as in Heb gimel, akin to gamal, camel
Word lists with
gamma
Greek
All related terms of 'gamma'
gamma ray
electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength of 10 -9 centimeters or less: may be produced by the reactions of nuclei or elementary particles or by the interaction of high energy electrons with matter
gamma iron
an allotrope of iron that is nonmagnetic and exists between 910°C and 1400°C
gamma knife
a machine that uses radiation with extreme accuracy to destroy abnormal tissue, esp in the brain
gamma rays
Gamma rays are a type of electromagnetic radiation that has a shorter wavelength and higher energy than X-rays .
gamma stock
any of the third rank of active securities on the London Stock Exchange. Prices displayed by market makers are given as an indication rather than an offer to buy or sell
gamma camera
a medical apparatus that detects gamma rays emitted from a person's body after the administration of a radioactive drug and so produces images of the organ being investigated
gamma-carotene
one of the forms of the pigment carotene
gamma function
a function defined by Γ( x ) = ∫ 0 ∞ t x– 1 e –t d t , where x is real and greater than zero
gamma globulin
any of a group of proteins in blood plasma that includes most known antibodies
gamma radiation
electromagnetic radiation emitted by atomic nuclei ; the wavelength is generally in the range 1 × 10 –10 to 2 × 10 –13 metres
gamma distribution
a continuous two-parameter distribution from which the chi-square and exponential distributions are derived , written Gamma (α. β), where α and β are greater than zero , and defined in terms of the gamma function
gamma hydroxybutyrate
a substance that occurs naturally in the brain , used medically as a sedative but also as a recreational drug and alleged aphrodisiac : known as 'liquid ecstasy ' when mixed with alcohol
gamma-ray burst
an intense but short-lived burst of gamma rays from an unknown celestial source. First detected in 1970, they have since been found to be widely distributed in the sky
gamma-ray burster
a source of gamma-ray bursts
Becquerel rays
rays given off by radioactive substances
gamma-ray astronomy
the investigation of cosmic gamma rays, such as those from quasars
gamma-aminobutyric acid
gamma-aminobutyric acid: a biologically active substance found in plants and in brain and other animal tissues; it is a neurotransmitter that inhibits activation of neurones
GHB
GHB is a drug with some medical uses, which some people take illegally to make them feel happy and energetic . GHB is an abbreviation for 'gamma hydroxybutyrate'.
liquid ecstasy
a substance that occurs naturally in the brain , used medically as a sedative but also as a recreational drug and alleged aphrodisiac : known as 'liquid ecstasy ' when mixed with alcohol
liquid x
a substance that occurs naturally in the brain , used medically as a sedative but also as a recreational drug and alleged aphrodisiac : known as 'liquid ecstasy ' when mixed with alcohol