alphas

Noun

alpha (countable and uncountable, plural alphas)

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. 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. The return of a given asset or portfolio adjusted for systematic risk.
   • 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.2001, Cheng-Few Lee, editor, Advances in Investment Analysis and Portfolio Management, volume 8, Elsevier, →ISBN, page 174
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, →ISBN
6. The first versions of a program, usually only available to the developer, and only tested by the developer.
   • 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).2007, Mark Summerfield, Rapid GUI Programming with Python and Qt: The Definitive Guide to PyQt Programming, Pearson Education, →ISBN

See all 22 meanings of alpha