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alpha
al·pha / ˈalfə/ • n. 1. the first letter of the Greek alphabet (Α, α), transliterated as “a.” ∎ [as adj.] denoting the first of a series of items or categories, e.g., forms of a chemical compound: alpha interferon. ∎ short for alpha test. ∎ (Alpha) [followed by Latin genitive] the first (typically the brightest) star in a constellation: Alpha Centauri. ∎ [as adj.] relating to alpha decay or alpha particles: an alpha emitter. ∎ (of animals in a group) the socially dominant individual: he rose to be alpha male of his troop at the very early age of 16. 2. a code word representing the letter A, used in radio communication. • symb. ∎ (α) a plane angle. ∎ (α) angular acceleration. ∎ (α) Astron. right ascension. |
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"alpha." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "alpha." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-alpha.html "alpha." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-alpha.html |
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Alpha
Alpha ♂, ♀ Taken from the first letter of the Greek alphabet (ultimately of Semitic origin; compare Hebrew āleph ‘ox’). It seems to have been chosen as a given name in the 19th and 20th centuries as a symbol of primacy and excellence, and is used for both boys and girls.
Variant: Alfa. |
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PATRICK HANKS, KATE HARDCASTLE, and FLAVIA HODGES. "Alpha." A Dictionary of First Names. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. PATRICK HANKS, KATE HARDCASTLE, and FLAVIA HODGES. "Alpha." A Dictionary of First Names. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O41-Alpha.html PATRICK HANKS, KATE HARDCASTLE, and FLAVIA HODGES. "Alpha." A Dictionary of First Names. 2006. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O41-Alpha.html |
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alpha
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W. R. F. BROWNING. "alpha." A Dictionary of the Bible. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. W. R. F. BROWNING. "alpha." A Dictionary of the Bible. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O94-alpha.html W. R. F. BROWNING. "alpha." A Dictionary of the Bible. 1997. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O94-alpha.html |
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alpha
alpha the first letter of the Greek alphabet (A, α), transliterated as ‘a’. The phrase alpha and omega ‘the beginning and the end’ (omega is the last letter of the Greek alphabet, as alpha is the first) is especially used by Christians as a title for Jesus.
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ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "alpha." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "alpha." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-alpha.html ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "alpha." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-alpha.html |
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alpha
alpha
•chaffer, gaffer, Jaffa, kafir, Staffa
•alfalfa, alpha, Balfour, Wadi Halfa
•camphor, chamfer
•Luftwaffe
•laugher, staffer
•heifer, zephyr
•chafer, trefa, wafer
•cockchafer
•feoffor, reefer
•differ, sniffer
•pilfer • titfer • umbellifer • Jennifer
•conifer • apocrypha • thurifer
•crucifer, Lucifer
•Potiphar • aquifer
•cipher, encipher, fifer, Haifa, knifer, lifer
•coffer, cougher, Offa, offer, proffer, quaffer, scoffer
•golfer • phosphor • Forfar • Altdorfer
•chauffeur, gofer, goffer, gopher, loafer, Nuku'alofa, Ophir, shofar, sofa
•Fraunhofer
•hoofer, loofah, opera buffa, roofer, spoofer, tufa, woofer
•waterproofer
•bluffer, buffer, duffer, puffer, snuffer, suffer
•sulphur (US sulfur) • telegrapher
•calligrapher, serigrapher
•autobiographer, bibliographer, biographer, cartographer, choreographer, cinematographer, crystallographer, geographer, Hagiographa, hagiographer, iconographer, lexicographer, lithographer, oceanographer, palaeographer (US paleographer), photographer, pornographer, radiographer, stenographer, topographer, typographer
•philosopher, theosopher
•metaphor • Christopher • surfer
•Bonhoeffer • windsurfer
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"alpha." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "alpha." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-alpha.html "alpha." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-alpha.html |
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