alpha

1. (sciences) The name of the symbols Α and α used in science and mathematics, often interchangeable with the symbols when used as a prefix.Examples: "I will attempt to make an alpha particle ("α-particle") with the Large Hadron Collider."countableuncountable

2. (finance) The return of a given asset or portfolio adjusted for systematic risk.Examples: "Similarly, alphas are 2.33% larger than that of the equivalent monthly alphas using compounded returns while no changes can be found using arithmetic returns."; "To investment professionals, “alpha” is the return over and above the market return. If in a given year the S. & P. 500 returns fifteen per cent and an equity-fund manager generates a return of twenty per cent, his alpha is five per cent."countableuncountable

3. (informal) Clipping of alphabet.abbreviationalt-ofclippingcountableinformaluncountable

4. (software engineering) The first versions of a program, usually only available to the developer, and only tested by the developer.Examples: "We will assume you got the .tgz version—later 2.x series versions such as 2.5.2 or 2.6.0 should be okay, provided they are production releases (not alphas, betas, or release candidates)."countableuncountable

5. (aviation) Angle of attack.countableuncountable

6. (computer graphics) The level of translucency of a color, as determined by the alpha channel.countableuncountable