Defn: The first letter in the Greek alphabet, answering to A, and hence used to denote the beginning. In am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Rev. xxii. 13.
Note: Formerly used also denote the chief; as, Plato was the alpha of the wits.
Note: In cataloguing stars, the brightest star of a constellation in designated by Alpha (a); as, a Lyræ.
ALPHABET Al"pha*bet, n. Etym: [L. alphabetum, fr. Gr. aleph and beth: cf. F. alphabet.]
1. The letters of a language arranged in the customary order; the series of letters or signs which form the elements of written language.
2. The simplest rudiments; elements. The very alphabet of our law. Macaulay. Deaf and dumb alphabet. See Dactylology.
ALPHABET
Al"pha*bet, v. t.
Defn: To designate by the letters of the alphabet; to arrange alphabetically. [R.]
ALPHABETARIAN
Al`pha*bet*a"ri*an, n.
Defn: A learner of the alphabet; an abecedarian. Abp. Sancroft.