alpha : Idioms & Phrases


alpha and omega

  • noun the first and last; signifies God's eternity
  • noun the basic meaning of something; the crucial part
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alpha blocker

  • noun any of various drugs that block alpha-adrenergic receptors; used in treating benign prostatic hyperplasia; relaxes the muscles of the prostate and bladder
    alpha-adrenergic blocker; alpha-adrenergic blocking agent; alpha blocker.
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alpha brass

  • noun an alloy of brass and zinc; used mainly for cold working
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alpha bronze

  • noun an alloy of copper and tin that can be worked
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alpha centauri

  • noun brightest star in Centaurus; second nearest star to the sun
    Rigil; Rigil Kent.
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alpha crucis

  • noun the brightest star in the Southern Cross
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alpha decay

  • noun radioactive decay of an atomic nucleus that is accompanied by the emission of an alpha particle
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alpha fetoprotein

  • noun an abnormally large amount of this fetoprotein in the fetus can signal an abnormality of the neural tube (as spina bifida or anencephaly)
    AFP; alpha fetoprotein.
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alpha foetoprotein

  • noun an abnormally large amount of this fetoprotein in the fetus can signal an abnormality of the neural tube (as spina bifida or anencephaly)
    AFP; alpha fetoprotein.
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alpha geminorum

  • noun a multiple star with 6 components; second brightest in Gemini; close to Pollux
    Castor.
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alpha globulin

  • noun a globulin in blood plasma or serum that is alkaline and has great electrophoretic mobility
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alpha iron

  • noun a magnetic allotrope of iron; stable below 906 degrees centigrade
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alpha methyl dopa

  • noun antihypertensive drug (trade name Aldomet) used in the treatment of high blood pressure
    Aldomet; methyldopa.
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alpha orionis

  • noun the second brightest star in Orion
    Betelgeuse.
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alpha particle

  • noun a positively charged particle that is the nucleus of the helium atom; emitted from natural or radioactive isotopes
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alpha privative

  • noun the negative prefix a- or un-
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alpha radiation

  • noun the radiation of alpha particles during radioactive decay
    alpha radiation.
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alpha ray

  • noun the radiation of alpha particles during radioactive decay
    alpha radiation.
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alpha receptor

  • noun receptors postulated to exist on nerve cell membranes of the sympathetic nervous system in order to explain the specificity of certain agents that affect only some sympathetic activities (such as vasoconstriction and relaxation of intestinal muscles and contraction of smooth muscles)
    alpha-adrenergic receptor; alpha receptor.
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alpha rhythm

  • noun the normal brainwave in the electroencephalogram of a person who is awake but relaxed; occurs with a frequency of 8-12 hertz
    alpha rhythm.
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alpha software

  • noun a first release of a software product that is usually tested only by the developers
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alpha test

  • noun (computer science) a first test of an experimental product (such as computer software) carried out by the developer
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alpha wave

  • noun the normal brainwave in the electroencephalogram of a person who is awake but relaxed; occurs with a frequency of 8-12 hertz
    alpha rhythm.
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alpha-adrenergic blocker

  • noun any of various drugs that block alpha-adrenergic receptors; used in treating benign prostatic hyperplasia; relaxes the muscles of the prostate and bladder
    alpha-adrenergic blocker; alpha-adrenergic blocking agent; alpha blocker.
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alpha-adrenergic blocking agent

  • noun any of various drugs that block alpha-adrenergic receptors; used in treating benign prostatic hyperplasia; relaxes the muscles of the prostate and bladder
    alpha-adrenergic blocker; alpha-adrenergic blocking agent; alpha blocker.
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alpha-adrenergic receptor

  • noun receptors postulated to exist on nerve cell membranes of the sympathetic nervous system in order to explain the specificity of certain agents that affect only some sympathetic activities (such as vasoconstriction and relaxation of intestinal muscles and contraction of smooth muscles)
    alpha-adrenergic receptor; alpha receptor.
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alpha-adrenoceptor

  • noun receptors postulated to exist on nerve cell membranes of the sympathetic nervous system in order to explain the specificity of certain agents that affect only some sympathetic activities (such as vasoconstriction and relaxation of intestinal muscles and contraction of smooth muscles)
    alpha-adrenergic receptor; alpha receptor.
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alpha-beta brass

  • noun a brass that has more zinc and is stronger than alpha brass; used in making castings and hot-worked products
    yellow metal; Muntz metal.
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alpha-blocker

  • noun any of various drugs that block alpha-adrenergic receptors; used in treating benign prostatic hyperplasia; relaxes the muscles of the prostate and bladder
    alpha-adrenergic blocker; alpha-adrenergic blocking agent; alpha blocker.
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alpha-interferon

  • noun a form of interferon that is produced endogenously and commercially for its pharmacological effects (including regulation of the immune system and antiviral and antineoplastic effects)
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alpha-linolenic acid

  • noun a polyunsaturated fatty acid with 18 carbon atoms; the only omega-3 fatty acid found in vegetable products; it is most abundant in canola oil; a fatty acid essential for nutrition
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alpha-lipoprotein

  • noun a lipoprotein that transports cholesterol in the blood; composed of a high proportion of protein and relatively little cholesterol; high levels are thought to be associated with decreased risk of coronary heart disease and atherosclerosis
    HDL; high-density lipoprotein.
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alpha-naphthol

  • noun an isomer of naphthol used in dyes
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alpha-naphthol test

  • noun biochemical indicator of the presence of carbohydrates in a solution; if carbohydrates are present a violet ring is formed by reaction with alpha-naphthol in the presence of sulfuric acid
    Molisch's test; Molisch test; Molisch reaction.
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alpha-tocopheral

  • noun a potent form of vitamin E obtained from germ oils or by synthesis
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