alif
/ˈalɪf/ /ˈɑːlɪf/noun
The first letter of the Arabic and Persian alphabets, corresponding to Roman a, and having the form ا when written or printed. Compare aleph. Also figurative and in figurative context (chiefly poetic ).
Origin
Early 18th century; earliest use found in Thomas Salmon (d. 1767), historian and travel writer. From (i) Persian 'alif and its etymon (ii) Arabic 'alif, the name of the first letter in the Arabic alphabet, corresponding to Roman a, ultimately from Phoenician 'lp (probably ālep̄) aleph.