beˈtacism /-sizm/ noun

Pronunciation of the sound of ‘b’ as that of ‘v’

beˈtatron noun

(Gr -tron agent sfx) see accelerator under accelerate

beˈta-blocker noun

A drug that reduces heart rate and interferes with the action of stress hormones such as adrenaline, used to treat eg high blood pressure and angina

betacarotene /-karˈə-tēn/ noun

A nutrient found in yellow and orange fruits and vegetables

beta decay noun

Radioactive decay in which a neutron in an atomic nucleus spontaneously breaks up into a proton (which remains within the nucleus) and an electron (which is emitted)

Beta fibre noun

A high-fibre product of sugar beet used as a dietary supplement to aid the absorption of cholesterol

beta interferon noun

A drug used to treat multiple sclerosis

beta rays plural noun

Streams of beta particles or electrons or positrons, given off by some radioactive substances

beta rhythm or beta wave noun

A wave recorded in an electroencephalogram representing the normal activity of the brain of someone who is awake with open eyes

beta test noun

A test, in normal working conditions (cf alpha test), of a product (eg new computer software) before it is marketed

beˈta-test transitive verb

beta-thalassaemia /-tha-lə-sēˈmi-ə/ noun

A genetic disorder of the haemoglobin