alpha

Etymology

From the Ancient Greek ἄλφα (álpha), the first letter of the Greek alphabet, from the Phoenician 𐤀 (ʾ, “aleph”). Doublet of alif.

noun

1. The name of the first letter of the Greek alphabet (Α, α), followed by beta. In the Latin alphabet it is the predecessor to A.
2. Latin alpha: the Latin letter Ɑ (minuscule: ɑ).
3. (sciences) The name of the symbols Α and α used in science and mathematics, often interchangeable with the symbols when used as a prefix.
   I will attempt to make an alpha particle ("α-particle") with the Large Hadron Collider.
4. (finance) The return of a given asset or portfolio adjusted for systematic risk.
5. A person, especially a male, who is dominant, successful and attractive; (see alpha male).
   Being a beta male in a species with alphas doesn't mean you have to sit out the mating game. 2008, Faye Flam, The Score: How the Quest for Sex Has Shaped the Modern Man, Avery, published 2008
   I'm still turned on by alpha males. I think there are only a couple of other men that turn me on . . . ones that are clearly not alphas. 2008, Mitzi Szereto, editor, The New Black Lace Book of Women's Sexual Fantasies, Black Lace, page 38
   This book is primarily for alpha males, or “top dogs.” We'll talk more about that later; but let's just say that if you are a man and successful in the world of trade, business, or profession, most likely you are an alpha, or you have been trained to act like an alpha. 2009, Martin G. Groder, Pat Webster, Winning at Love: The Alpha Male's Guide to Relationship Success, Bascom Hill Books, page ix
6. (informal, abbreviation) Short for alphabet.
7. (software engineering) The first versions of a program, usually only available to the developer, and only tested by the developer.
8. (aviation) Angle of attack.
9. (computer graphics) The level of translucency of a color, as determined by the alpha channel.
10. (statistics) The significance level of a statistical test; the alpha level.
11. (fandom slang) In omegaverse fiction, a person of a dominant secondary sex driven by biology, magic, or other means to bond with an omega, with males of this type often having canine-like genitalia.
    Sometimes the alphas and omegas are rare, sometimes they are only males, sometimes they have altered sex organs. 2013, Kristina Busse, “Pon Farr, Mpreg, Bonds, and the Rise of the Omegaverse”, in Anne Jamison, editor, Fic: Why Fanfiction Is Taking Over the World, page 317
    Sherlock realizes that John, despite being an alpha, sees and loves Sherlock for who he is, "a brilliant, mad, nutter of a man," instead of only wanting him for his reproductive functions, his ability to become pregnant. 2017, Marianne Gunderson, "What is an omega? Rewriting sex and gender in omegaverse fanfiction", thesis submitted to the University of Oslo, page 11
    Contrary to the typical scenario expected in a dark A/B/O story, in this story both Hannibal and Will are alphas—but Hannibal wants Will to be his omega; subservient and submissive to him only. 2018, Laura Campillo Arnaiz, “When the Omega Empath Met the Alpha Doctor: An Analysis of Alpha/Beta/Omega Dynamics in the Hannibal Fandom”, in Ashton Spacey, editor, The Darker Side of Slash Fan Fiction, page 130

adj

1. Designates the first in an order of precedence.
   I am the alpha male.
2. (of person, object or action) Exhibiting characteristics of the alpha male/female archetype.
   And thank you. Seriously. I'll call you later. You better. I'm feeling pretty alpha now. Yes, you are. 2015, Life Is Strange, Square Enix
3. (astronomy) Designates some bright star, usually the brightest star, of a constellation.
   When interstellar travel becomes feasible, I plan to visit Alpha Centauri.