the second letter in the Greek alphabet (Β, β), a consonant, transliterated as b
2.
the second highest grade or mark, as in an examination
3. (modifier)
a.
involving or relating to electrons
beta emitter
b.
relating to one of two or more allotropes or crystal structures of a solid
beta iron
c.
relating to one of two or more isomeric forms of a chemical compound
Word origin
from Greek bēta, from Hebrew; see beth
Beta in British English
(ˈbiːtə)
noun
(foll by the genitive case of a specified constellation)
a star in a constellation, usually the second brightest
Beta Persei
Beta in American English
(ˈbeɪtə)
trademark
1.
an electronic system for recording and playing back videocassettes
2.
a videocassette recorder using this system
In full ˈBetaˌmax (ˈbeɪtəˌmæks)
beta in American English
(ˈbeɪtə; Chiefly British ˈbitə)
noun
1.
the second letter of the Greek alphabet (Β, β)
2.
the second of a group or series
3. [B-]; Astronomy
the name assigned to the second brightest star in each constellation
, followed by the constellation's name in the genitive case, as Beta Geminorum
4. Computing
a version of software distributed to selected users for testing before sale
5. Finance
a measure of the impact of a change in the stock market on the probable price change of a stock or stocks
adjective
6. Chemistry
designating an organic structural position
alpha
Word origin
L < Gr bēta < Heb bet, lit., house; prob. of Phoen orig.
Examples of 'beta' in a sentence
beta
It is also possible to unintentionally combine beta blockers with other drugs and this could be dangerous.
Martlew, Gillian & Silver, Shelley (ed) The Medicine Chest - your family's guide to prescription drugs (1988)
He suggested beta blockers to put me into a deeper sleep.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
He is a mixture of alpha male and beta female.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
For a long time alpha far exceeds beta, and the herd is at peace.
Geoffrey A. Moore INSIDE THE TORNADO: MARKETING STRATEGIES FROM SILICON VALLEY'S CUTTING EDGE (2001)
The beta male represents a new, more rounded idea of what it means to be a man.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
It can also increase weight loss, reduce blood pressure and have a beneficial effect on the beta cells.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Work on the use of stem cells to produce these vital beta cells is continuing, but still lacks any timeframe.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Thus enter the beta blockers.
Pantano, James A. (MD) Living with Angina (1991)
Beta blockers make asthma worse.
Petch, Dr Michael BMA Family Doctor Guide - Heart Disease (1989)
If you will be having surgery or dental treatment which requires anaesthesia it is important to tell the person in charge that you are taking beta blockers.
Martlew, Gillian & Silver, Shelley (ed) The Medicine Chest - your family's guide to prescription drugs (1988)
It used adult blood stem cells to replace white blood cells, that the doctors had killed to stop them attacking beta cells that make insulin.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Combined alpha and beta blockers control blood pressure by alpha effects and by concurrent beta effects (see above) upon the heart.
Shreeve, Caroline (Dr.) How to Lower High Blood Pressure (1994)
Once they were in the presence of glucose, the beta cells began to produce the hormone insulin, just like natural beta cells in the pancreas.
The Sun (2016)
Because I think beta blockers have so much to offer, most of my patients with angina are taking a drug from this class.
Pantano, James A. (MD) Living with Angina (1991)
Word lists with
beta
Greek
All related terms of 'beta'
beta cell
See B cell (sense 2 )
beta iron
a nonmagnetic allotrope of pure iron stable between 770° C and 910°C
beta ray
a stream of beta particles
beta-test
a test of a new or modified piece of computer software by customers who volunteer to do so
beta wave
any of the electrical waves from the parietal-frontal regions of the brain , having frequencies from 13 to 30 hertz : a sign of mental activity and alertness
beta decay
the radioactive transformation of an atomic nucleus accompanying the emission of an electron . It involves unit change of atomic number but none in mass number
Beta fiber
a nonflammable glass fiber made into fabrics, insulation , etc.
beta rhythm
the normal electrical activity of the cerebral cortex , occurring at a frequency of 13 to 30 hertz and detectable with an electroencephalograph
beta stock
any of the second rank of active securities on the Stock Exchange , of which there are about 500. Continuous display of prices by market makers is required but not immediate publication of transactions
beta-blocker
A beta blocker is a drug which is used to treat people who have high blood pressure or heart problems .
beta-blocking
acting to inhibit the activity of the nerves that are stimulated by adrenaline
beta carotene
a yellowish form of carotene : a dietary deficiency of this is associated with a greater risk of certain cancers
beta emitter
a radioactive element, either natural or artificial , which changes into another element by emitting a beta particle
beta globulin
any of a group of blood glycoproteins that transport iron
Beta Orionis
→ Rigel
beta particle
a high-speed electron or positron emitted by a nucleus during radioactive decay or nuclear fission
beta process
the radioactive transformation of an atomic nucleus accompanying the emission of an electron . It involves unit change of atomic number but none in mass number
beta receptor
a receptor , found on the surface of some cells of the sympathetic nervous system, that is stimulated by certain adrenergic substances: such stimulation results in certain physiological responses , such as acceleration of the action of the heart and dilatation of the arteries supplying heart and skeletal muscles
beta-adrenergic
pertaining to or involving beta receptors
Beta Geminorum
→ Pollux
beta coefficient
a measure of the extent to which a particular security rises or falls in value in response to market movements
beta-hypophamine
a polypeptide hormone secreted by the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland. It increases the reabsorption of water by the kidney tubules and increases blood pressure by constricting the arteries
Phi Beta Kappa
a national honorary society , founded in 1776, membership of which is based on high academic ability
alpha-beta brass
a type of brass that contains 35–45 per cent zinc
beta transformation
the radioactive transformation of an atomic nucleus accompanying the emission of an electron . It involves unit change of atomic number but none in mass number
naphthyl group
the univalent group C 10 H 7 –, having a replaceable hydrogen atom in the first , or alpha , position; 1-naphthyl group
B-cell
any of the lymphocytes not derived from the thymus , that mature in the bone marrow and help to build antibodies
siderophilin
any of a group of blood glycoproteins that transport iron
transferrin
any of a group of blood glycoproteins that transport iron