n. [ L. alpha, Gr.
In am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Rev. xxii. 13. [ 1913 Webster ]
Formerly used also denote the
☞ In cataloguing stars, the brightest star of a constellation in designated by Alpha (α); as, α Lyræ. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. [ L. alphabetum, fr. Gr. &unr_; + &unr_;, the first two Greek letters; Heb. āleph and beth: cf. F. alphabet. ]
The very alphabet of our law. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]
Deaf and dumb alphabet.
v. t. To designate by the letters of the alphabet; to arrange alphabetically. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]
n. A learner of the alphabet; an abecedarian. Abp. Sancroft. [ 1913 Webster ]
adv. In an alphabetic manner; in the customary order of the letters. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. The science of representing spoken sounds by letters. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. The expression of spoken sounds by an alphabet. Encyc. Brit. [ 1913 Webster ]
v. t.
adj.
n.
. (Photog.) A sensitized paper for obtaining positives by artificial light. It is coated with gelatin containing silver bromide and chloride. [ Eng. ] [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]
. (Physics & Chem.) a particle emitted at high velocity from certain radioactive substances. It is identical to the helium nucleus, consisting of two protons and two neutrons. Rays of such particles are called alpha rays. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. +PJC ]
. (Physics & Chem.) Rays of relatively low penetrating power emitted by radium and other radioactive substances, and shown to consist of positively charged alpha particles (helium nuclei) having enormous velocities but small masses. They are slightly deflected by a strong magnetic or electric field. Compare
n. An alphabet of signs made by movement of the hands, used by the deaf; in it letters are represented by finger positions. See Dactylology.
same as Morse code. [ 1913 Webster ]
‖n. [ NL., fr. Gr. &unr_;: cf. F. pentalpha. See Penta-, and Alpha. ] A five-pointed star, resembling five alphas joined at their bases; -- used as a symbol. [ 1913 Webster ]
. An alphabet for the blind with a system of raised points corresponding to letters. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]