| 释义 |
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2024al•pha /ˈælfə/USA pronunciation n. [countable], pl. -phas. - Linguisticsthe first letter of the Greek alphabet (A, &agr).
- the first of any series;
beginning:from alpha to omega (= from beginning to end).
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2024al•pha (al′fə),USA pronunciation n. - Linguisticsthe first letter of the Greek alphabet (A, α).
- Linguisticsthe vowel sound represented by this letter.
- the first;
beginning. - Astronomy(cap.) used to designate the brightest star in a constellation.
- Chemistryone of two or more isomeric compounds.
- the first in a series of related items: frequently used in chemistry and physics.
- British Terms[Chiefly Brit.]a mark or grade corresponding to an A. Cf. beta (def. 8), gamma (def. 9).
adj. - Animal Behavior
- (esp. of animals) having the highest rank of its sex in a dominance hierarchy:the alpha female.
- being the most prominent, talented, or aggressive person in a group:the alpha male of investment bankers.
- Chemistrypertaining or linked to the carbon atom closest to a particular group in an organic molecule.
- Semitic; compare aleph
- Greek álpha
- Latin
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers:: alpha /ˈælfə/ n - the first letter in the Greek alphabet (Α, α), a vowel transliterated as a
- Brit the highest grade or mark, as in an examination
- (modifier) involving or relating to helium-4 nuclei
- 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 to which the principal group is attached
- (modifier) denoting the dominant person or animal in a group
Etymology: via Latin from Greek, of Phoenician origin; related to Hebrew āleph, literally: ox |